In each class of the Universal Drumming Series, you’ll travel with Jeni Swerdlow to those places through the beat of the drums, exploring the different rhythms played by cultures from around the world.

This week, we’re "traveling" to Guinea, West Africa! We'll be learning a popular rhythm from the Manian people. It was originally played as the women danced with their fishing nets after they had come back from fishing. Now played at festivals and celebrations.

This week, we’re "traveling" to Egypt! The Baladi and Ayoub are popular rhythms for dancing, found in Arabic pop and traditional Egyptian dance music.

This week, we’re "traveling" to Nigeria, West Africa. We'll learn to play a Nigerian social dance and rhythm made popular by Babatunde Olatunji. A fun challenge, it contains many interlocking drum and percussion accompaniments.

This week, we’re "traveling" to Brazil! Created in the 1970’s, Samba-reggae is a music genre from Bahia, Brazil. It was originally derived as a blend of Brazilian samba with Jamaican reggae.

This week, we’re "traveling" to Senegal and learning the Balante! Known as the dance of the warrior, the powerful rhythm from the Senegambia region was taught to many by master drummer Abdoulaye Diakite.