AFROBEAT ON STAGE: Afrokoko Roots, China's first and only Afrobeat outfit stages thrilling live shows (WANG XIANG)

DANCING TO THE RHYTHM: Traditional dance from the National Ballet of Cameroon Dance Troupe (WU JINGJING)

A vigorous drumming session by over 20 drum-lovers kicked off China's first Afrobeat Festival on the night of October 15 at Beijing's Yugong Yishan Bar.

The festival celebrated Nigerian Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the founder of Afrobeat music, who combined elements of traditional highlife and jazz, and dubbed the intensely rhythmic hybrid "Afro-beat." Throughout his life he continued to fight for the rights of the common men and women, making him a great figure in African musical world.

"Fela Kuti is [an] African legend [and] [the] pioneer of Afrobeat music. Africa is all about freedom, [about] fighting for peace and love. He [is] my spiritual father. I follow him [because] we share the same spirit," said Ghanian host Sunny Dada, who leads China's first and only Afrobeat outfit, Afrokoko Roots, a 15-member multi-cultural band comprised of singers and dancers from seven continents.

"We are doing Afrobeat reggae. Our music integrates a bit of house music and raggee, yet the root is Afrobeat," he added.

The thrilling drumming was followed by traditional dances from the National Ballet of Cameroon Dance Troupe and vigorous live shows of a seven-member Nigerian Tian Tia Band and the host Afrokoko Roots.

"It's the feeling coming from inside. We Africans have traditions. Now we are not in Africa, far away from our motherland and our tradition. [When celebrating Afrobeat here together] it's like going back to Africa," said Cameroonian dancer Momo Verlin.

"When you see Africa on TV, you always see Africa at war, or people dying. It's far from the truth," he continued. "Africa has more energy than it's shown on TV. We want to show the vibrant Africa here tonight."

Dada felt that the relationship between the Chinese Government and the governments of African countries is going deeper. Yet he observed some Chinese people still have misunderstandings about Africa. "On my own part, the only way I can let them know more about Africa is music, through entertainment," he said.