A Santa Rosa psychic led a vibrant African spiritual drum circle, where dancing and enlightenment were encouraged for Santa Rosa Junior College students and faculty, on Feb. 18 at the Petaluma Intercultural Center. Onye Onyemaechi, born in Nigeria, is also the author of “The Drum: Voice of The Village.” His book and methods are imbued with traditional African spiritualism, practices and history.
Drumming and dancing have historically both been used as tools by African cultures to show strength and resilience. A village drum is heavily significant.
“Stealing the village drum is easy, but finding a place to beat it peacefully is the problem,” Onyemaechi said in his book. Signifying it is easy to steal something that doesn’t belong to you, but dealing with the consequences is something many are not prepared for.
“In the village the elders never finished the food,” Onyemaechi added. “They leave the food to the spirit to partake.”
Onyemaechi’s book explores the connection and importance of the drum to an African village and teaches readers how to play one in a way that supports their community.
Many SRJC attendees, interested in spirituality and what it has to offer them, hoped to gain new information and practices from the psychic.
A student, dressed in traditional clothing, felt moved by the rhythm to dance and sing along.
“I am trying to have some sort of artistic enlightenment,” said SRJC student Diego Ramirez. “Like making music, art, philosophy — even religious ideas and spiritualism.”
When describing how significant the drum is, Onyemaechi said, “The drum is yours, it has your own identity. The drums I use, I cleanse all the time. Sometimes I sleep with my drums; they come into my dreams.”
The drum circle and talk led by Onyemaechi were among other events hosted by the Sawubona Black Learning and Opportunity Center to celebrate Black History Month at SRJC.
Only 1.8% of SRJC full-time undergraduates identify as Black according to a study conducted by College Factual. Despite this, SRJC encourages students to look “beyond textbooks” this Black History month and dive deeper into Black history.
“Celebrating Black history through rhythm and community felt grounding and joyful. I wanted to be part of that shared moment and in community with students and colleagues,” said Michelle Vidaurri, director of student engagement and support services.
The next event to celebrate Black History Month at SRJC, “Still Becoming- BLOCed in Time,” takes place at 10:30 a.m., Feb. 25, in the Bertolini Student Center.
Editor’s note: An additional quote from Vidaurri was added after publishing. Added at 3:58 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
