From Drumming Circles to Modern Practices: The Evolution of the Ritual of Rhythm
As the humid Bangkok night air wraps around you, Veyla Bangkok pulses with life. The soft glow of neon lights weaves through the crowd, illuminating smiling faces lost in the embrace of sound. A heartbeat resonates from the speakers, a deep, pulsing rhythm that seems to unify everyone present—an unspoken language of connection. House music spills forth, infused with the soulful notes of Afro House, inviting all in the vicinity to shed their individual stories and move as one under the starlit sky.
The atmosphere is electric—a melting pot of culture, artistry, and emotion. Each beat acts as a brushstroke on the canvas of the night, creating a rich tapestry of shared experience. As the DJ weaves intricate patterns of sound, you can almost trace the lineage of this auditory ritual back through time.
The roots of Afro House extend deep into the soil of rhythm and community, drawing from ancestral drumming circles that have resonated across continents for centuries. Traditionally, these gatherings were not merely events—they were rituals, set within a sacred space, binding individuals together through the language of rhythm. The drumbeats, just like those radiating through Veyla’s speakers, spoke of stories, struggles, and unyielding joy.
With artists like Black Coffee and Culoe De Song amplifying this genre’s reach, Afro House has blossomed, giving rise to subgenres such as Afro Tech and the fast-growing Amapiano. Each variation embodies a unique cultural voice, reflecting diverse regional influences and styles. As you stand swaying amidst the eclectic crowd in Ekkamai, the power of these sounds transforms the space into a global dance floor, transcending language and geography.
The beauty lies in how these rhythms resonate not just within us, but among us. At Veyla, every heartbeat synchronizes to the collective pulse of the crowd, breathing life into the venue. People from all walks of life move together, sharing smiles and glances, drawn into the universal language of music. The blend of local regulars and international travelers creates a dynamic energy that vibrates through the very walls of the venue.
In an interview featured on Resident Advisor, DJ and producer Shimza captured this phenomenon perfectly: “When the music plays, borders disappear. It’s all about feeling the vibe together.” Here, that vibe is palpable—an electric current that courses through the body and soul, knitting together disparate threads into a singular fabric of community.
Within the broader context of Bangkok, Veyla occupies a vital space in a nightlife tapestry that is as varied as its population. In a city where Ekkamai and Thonglor buzz with creative life, the night reveals a spectrum of possibilities. Contemporary Thai artists are making their mark within the Afro House scene, layering their cultural narratives atop global beats—an ongoing dialogue between East and West. Each weekend, you can witness this symbiosis as locals and travelers converge to seek solace in the rhythm.
This sonic grounding is more than mere entertainment; it’s an evolution of human connection through sound and movement. As the night deepens, the intensity grows, and the dancers become a mosaic of bodies, each stepping to their heartbeat while entrusting their emotions to the music. The letting go of inhibitions becomes a ritual in itself—an act of faith that what speaks to one resonates with another.
As the final tracks swell, you’re left with a lingering sense of something greater than oneself—a reminder that we are part of an intricate web, intricately woven through sound. Music becomes a conduit, a bridge that reaches across divides, reminding us of our shared humanity.
In this ever-chaning landscape, the rhythm doesn’t just play; it pulses—alive, inviting, and enduring. It invites every soul present to tune into their own heartbeat, to explore the stories that resonate within, and to dance as if no one is watching.
After all, the very essence of Afro House is found not only in the beats but in the connections it fosters. It whispers to us that every pulse, every sway, is part of a larger story—one that reverberates through the streets of Bangkok and beyond.
At Veyla, the night is just beginning when the last notes echo into the ether. Here, the music speaks. All you have to do is listen.
About the Author:
Written by the Veyla Editorial Team—curators of sound, rhythm, and emotion behind Bangkok’s most soulful nights. Each story explores the intersection of music, culture, and connection across Asia’s evolving nightlife scene.
