Africa-Press – Gambia. For two weeks from August 10, 2025, the Gambian percussion group Flex Fuzion, led by Ndey Jabang, warmed its way into the hearts of thousands of Chinese audiences in Changzhou and Ha’erbin cities in China, at major summer percussion and music festivals.
Flex Fuzion, which is comprised solely of girl drummers and dancers, seeks to centre women in the art of percussion and dance. Upon the invitation of the Chinese government, and guided by the National Centre for Arts and Culture, whose Director General, Hassoum Ceesay, accompanied the delegation, the Flez Fuzion troupe played to an appreciative audience at the Changzhou City Percussion Art Festival on the 13th August at the Changzhou Performance Centre.
For more than five minutes, the beautiful and energetic Gambian melodies of the jembe drum mesmerized the Chinese audience. In other sets, the Gambian drummers and Chinese percussionists played together to further cement the role of the drum in forging Gambia-China ties. The Gambian troupe also benefited from a percussion workshop organized by their Chinese hosts. In other sessions, the Chinese hosts also generously accepted the ideas on percussion offered by Ndey and her girls.
From Changzhou, the Gambian delegation went to Ha’erbin city. Here they were eagerly awaited to perform at various events, notably the Ha’erbin Citizens Summer Music Festival, which held its 37th edition on the 20th August, before a crowd of several thousands, including the City Communist Party officials.
In less than five minutes, Flez Fuzion was able to raise the Gambia cultural flag high on the stage. So intense was their performance that Flez Fuzion got a standing ovation. The Gambian all-girl group played at other smaller gigs at the Volga Manor, at the Dolphin Park in Ha’erbin, to much appreciation. “This Gambian cultural delegation has introduced The Gambia as a beautiful country to many Chinese,” said a member of the Chinese reception team.
All told, the fact that Flez Fuzion was the biggest ever Gambian cultural group to have ever visited and performed in China since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1974 says a lot about the strong role of culture in strengthening China-Gambia ties and friendship.
In all the shows, the shouts of ‘China-Gambia’ could be heard enthusiastically from the stage and the audience. This is a positive step that shows that through cultural exchange, the two countries can unearth hidden potential in their relations. This is especially significant as the next China-Africa Summit is due in 2026, and cultural dialogue will be one of the talking points.
“Well, the Flez Fuzion tour, which was a massive success by any measure, has started the work that our diplomats must now harvest to bring China and The Gambia closer, especially in supporting our country to get critical cultural and artistic infrastructure, such as a National Theatre.” Hassoum Ceesay, Director General of the National Centre for Arts and Culture, attested.
He harped that utmost thanks should go to the young but daring Flez Fuzion for the courage and love for country which was manifested throughout their shows; to the NCAC also for their foresight in introducing Gambian culture to the far recesses of China, and also “to the good people of China, very generous hosts, who invited through their proactive Embassy in Banjul. Long Live China-Long Live The Gambia.”
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