On Thursday afternoon, Nukporfe, Binghamton University’s African-influenced drumming ensemble, held a mid-day performance in the Anderson Center for the Performing Arts.

Nukporfe performed a selection of Ghanaian songs and dances for an audience of about 100 people.

The group, which has been performing since 2007, consists of a dozen drummers, led by James Burns, chair of the music department, along with dancers and a small choir. Nukporfe joins members of the music and theater departments to put on a lively show with singing and dancing.

Nukporfe members put an emphasis on the cultural education they receive upon joining the ensemble, and for some it is an opportunity to continue to hone talents they learned at home.

Itoro-Chloe Udo, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry, said she has been a part of Nukporfe for three semesters. She first joined the group as a dancer, but was later promoted to lead singer after the former lead singer graduated last year. She was involved in a Nigerian dance group at home and is a member of the African Student Organization. She cited these activities as her reasons for joining the group.

Maritza Rodriguez, a senior majoring in biology, said she was introduced to the group through a friend. While she began in the group as a dancer, Rodriguez said she took the beginner African drum class offered at BU. In her five semesters of participating in Nukporfe, she became the vice president of the ensemble and the second-most-important drum behind Burns.

Rodriguez said she is interested in the cultural aspect behind the music.

“It’s not like Western music where you just pop on a song; [the Ewe songs] have meaning to them,” she said.

The students performed a selection of six songs. Each piece was upbeat and energetic, and for the final number Burns invited members of the audience onstage for an Ewe version of Musical Chairs.

After the concert, Burns explained the meaning of the group’s name and how it applies to their diverse members who perform authentic African music.

“It comes from an Ewe proverb that means ‘seeing is believing,’” Burns said. “Until you see someone in action, you don’t really know their potential.”

Chris Butcher, an undeclared sophomore, said he attended the concert as a part of a class.

“It was authentic and well done,” Butcher said.

Connie Chan, a freshman majoring in biology, said she also attended the concert for class, but enjoyed the performance and said she would go to more of Nukporfe’s concerts.

“I enjoyed it a lot, and it was nice to get away from the professor and his lectures,” Chan said.

Butcher said the songs “reminded him of the YouTube videos” of native African drummers he had seen in class, a testament to Nukporfe’s authenticity.

Nukporfe has performed for local schools to raise awareness for Black History Month and for the Southern Tier World AIDS Day event. They will be performing their semester concert at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14 in Watters Theater.