When master storyteller Teju Ologboni gets in front of an audience, his words and his drum speak the truth about the way things were long ago.

In the process, he is honoring the second principle of Kwanzaa — kujichagulia or self-determination, defining for himself and his people by telling those truths.

Kwanzaa, the holiday celebration honoring African-American heritage and culture, was the focus of a presentation at the Civil War Museum on Saturday.

Event organizer Mary Finley said it was righteous that Ologboni was speaking in a room called Freedom Hall at the museum.

“It’s a great thing that has come full circle (about) how we got to be here in the first place,” Finley said.

Ologboni’s presentation of stories and songs from across the generations were the ideal for Kwanzaa, and part of what she deems “edutainment,” Finley said, adding that she is hopeful that people of all races and backgrounds can come into community and learn from each other.

“Young people can learn from older people and vice versa. We all learn from each other,” she said.

African rhythm

After an in-depth look at Kwanzaa and its seven principles, Ologboni, an American who has lived in Nigeria, strapped on his drum and demonstrated the different types of African drum rhythms for the audience of about 30 people.

People in Africa, he said, sent messages great distances by using different rhythms. There were rhythms to signal the harvest, a party, spiritual gatherings and war.

“I know you think your technology is good. But I can send a party rhythm faster than you, ’cause while you’re turning on your cell phone and texting,” he said, drumming a pattern and pausing for effect. “I’ve got the message out.”

Stories of slavery

But not all of Ologboni’s talk was lighthearted.

He spoke of the kidnapping of African people who were then sold into slavery.

Ologboni told the story of 19 young African men who were tricked into coming aboard a slave ship and when they came ashore in America instead of submitting, they ran and wrapped themselves in chains and walked into the ocean rather than become slaves.

The civil rights era song “Oh, Freedom,” he said, commemorates the event.

Ologboni said “slave” is an accurate term for what happened to his people.

“Don’t refer to our ancestors as slaves,” he said, explaining his theory. People often say they are “slave” to something they really like, as in being “a slave to chocolate” or being a “slave to love.”

“Black people have never been slaves. Because what is a slave? A slave is someone who has fallen in love with that thing that controls them,” he said.

“We never loved captivity. ... We didn’t love nothing about the thing called slavery, so therefore we were not slaves. What were we? We were captives.”