Cheick Adama Sissoko follows the beat of his own drummer.

Wait a minute -- he is the drummer. And the beat he hears is the traditional "djembe" (drum) sound of his native West Africa.

Sissoko is the founder and artistic director of the Waraba Sanou Dance and Drum Company, which will be performing as part of the Southern Pines Public Library's Explorations series of programs for adults on Sunday, Sept. 17, from 3 to 4 p.m.

"We're delighted to be able to bring this slice of West African culture to the Sandhills," says Library Director Lynn Thompson. "Thanks go also to the Friends of the Library for sponsoring this program as part of our Library Card Sign-Up Month activities."

Currently based in Wilmington, Sissoko was born into a family of 11 children in the Ivory Coast of West Africa. His parents are both musicians, and Sissoko soon realized that he too had a love of music and of dance. He gained recognition throughout West Africa as part of the Bouake Dance Troup and Djolem Club.

After touring the United States in 1998, Sissoko decided to move here. He soon became a regular drummer and dance teacher at Djoniba Dance and Drum Center in New York City and has toured with Chuck Davis and the African American Dance Ensemble.

Today, through performing and teaching, Sissoko passes his love of traditional African dances and drumbeats to the adults and children of North Carolina.

He makes sure to emphasize to his students and audiences that the history and traditions behind the rhythms share equal importance with dance methods and drumming techniques.

In West Africa the drum rhythms are passed down from generation to generation. Each rhythm has a specific meaning, and different ones are used for weddings, welcomings, harvests and funerals.

Founding the Waraba Sanou Dance and Drum Company was Sissoko's attempt to keep these traditions of his homeland alive. Even the name of his ensemble reflects his desire to share a little of his native Africa.

In the Bambara West African language "Waraba Sanou" means "the golden lion."

For more information about the upcoming program at the Southern Pines Public Library, call 692-8235 or visit www.sppl.net.

Alice Thomas is a public services librarian at the Southern Pines Library.