More Than an Event
Tales & Drums is a space where stories are shared, cultures are celebrated, friendships are formed and everyone is invited to be part of the experience.
Welcome to Tales & Drums
A joyful celebration of African-inspired storytelling, music, movement and cultural heritage, founded by children’s author and storyteller Kamapala Chukwuka.
Tales & Drum Convener, Kamapala Chukwuka
Our Story: Where It All Began
Growing up in Africa, storytelling was one of the beautiful traditions that brought our communities together.
I remember the joy of gathering to listen to stories, sing, dance, laugh and share moments with one another. Storytelling was never just about the stories themselves. It was about connection, belonging, learning and the wonderful feeling of being part of a community.
Those memories have stayed with me.
When I founded Tales & Drums, my dream was simple: to recreate that same joy for children and families here in the UK.
I wanted to create a space where children could experience the richness of African storytelling, where families from different backgrounds could come together, and where our cultural traditions could be shared, appreciated and passed on to the next generation.
Today, every Tales & Drums gathering reminds me why I started.
Seeing little faces light up, hearing children join in with songs, watching families dance together and witnessing the connections created through storytelling brings me so much joy.
Because stories do more than entertain. They connect us to who we are, where we come from and one another.
Pictures Say A Thousand Words
Would you love to bring the joy of African-inspired storytelling, drumming and cultural celebration to your library, school, festival or community event?
Tales & Drums offers engaging, interactive experiences that can be adapted for different audiences, ages and settings. We welcome enquiries from libraries, schools, local authorities, festivals, community organisations and cultural partners. Let’s create something beautiful together. Please complete the form provided.