Pascal plays African drum in front of a bar in Kunming. [Provided to InKunming]

Pascal teaches Chinese kids ways to play African drums at a school in Kunming. [Provided to InKunming]

[InKunming--Kunming]  "Bang, Bang bang, Bang bang bang…"sounds from an African drum ringing out when Pascal played the drum in the front of a bar in Kunming, drew many passers-by's attention.

Pascal, an African guy from the Republic of Ghana, having lived in Kunming for around 8 years, loves his relaxed life in the city very much.

"I came here for learning Chinese at the very beginning," Pascal told InKunming journalist, "but a chance encounter with a French man who was playing African drum around Green Lake Park when we met changed my experience."

Before coming to Kunming, Pascal just wished to learn Chinese language and might come back to Ghana after language lessons were finished.

However, the encounter with a French man, who had the same interest as Pascal does in playing African drums, made Pascal live in Kunming for a longer time, letting him know more Yunnan and Kunming local friends, and even marrying with a Kunming girl.

With the same interest, Pascal always went out to play African drum with the French man together after Pascal finished his day courses. They talked about playing skills, playing dynamic music works by the African drums for funs.

After the French man departed Kunming, Pascal still loved to play African drums, and did not like to give up drum playing. Therefore, Pascal invited the other four African men to join in drum playing. The five African men established a music band called "Africa Mziki".

Pascal plays African drum in front of a bar in Kunming. [Provided to InKunming]

Pascal attends a bar's event for playing music in Kunming. [Provided to InKunming]

If not coming to China, not encountering that French man, Pascal was just an IT knowledge learner that may become an office "white collar" with requirements of Pascal’s parents in Ghana.

When learning IT knowledge in Ghana, Pascal was strictly managed by his parents, with no much freedom to develop his hobby in music playing. However, after he moved to Kunming for Chinese language study, life of Pascal became more relaxed and cozy.

In Kunming, Pascal could decide what entertainment activities he would like to participate in, and what time arrangements he would like to make in the end. He was often invited for joining in many events that related to playing music, and playing African drums actually.

A lot of Yunnan and Kunming local people who had watched Pascal’s African drum playing in the locality were deeply moved by Pascal's performances. "Daguan Road, Xiao Ximen, Puji Road, such places of Kunming Pascal usually arrived at for African drum playing," Pascal said, "Dali, Yuxi, Qujing, Tengchong, Xishuangbanna, many places of Yunnan Pascal also reached for his music playing."

The hobby that Pascal loves to listen to the music and to play African drums since Pascal was a child promotes Pascal to be an active musician in Kunming now. Frequent appearances in various events in Kunming and Yunnan for African drum playing urge Pascal to get what he wishes to get he dreamt for before.

Now, Pascal mainly charges for selling Ghana’s daily goods based in Kunming, and to China. In spare time, Pascal attends different events to play music and play African drums with friends for funs.

In some local people's eyes of Yunnan and Kunming, Pascal looked like a super star for them to play music and play African drums well. They adored Pascal’s performances very much and would not miss each performance Pascal may give to audience.

"Kunming brings joys to me, and China brings good fortunes to me. I love to live in Kunming so much. I will not leave for Ghana in short period of time." Pascal said.

Click here to view Chinese report.

(Editors: Cathy Chen, Tracy)