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Information
on psychology; the psychological, psychosocial, emotional
and mental properties of drumming; is on a separate page.
Click on the "drumming psychology" button to be taken there...
"When people are drumming together, everyone is speaking through his or her drum and listening to the drums at the same time... intertwining rhythms in which everyone is speaking, everyone is heard, and each person's is an essential part of the whole" (Friedman, 2000).
In West African communities drumming was originally used to communicate across far distances. The djembe drum was the mouthpiece used by tribes to connect and converse with each other regular interactions. Drumming is a dynamic way to connect with others without language and other cultural barriers. Recent research proves that drumming can increase self-esteem along with other cognitive skills, as well as assist in the treatment of various psychological, physical & emotional conditions. It teaches tolerance, respect while deepening interpersonal relationships. Drumming is proving itself to be a dynamic tool that can develop communities and elevate consciousness.With this in mind, DrumInspire workshops teach constructive communication strategies to further self-expression.Workshops also offer a range of other learnng procedures along with therapeutic benefits.
"The djembe is also known as the healing drum because of its history as a tool in African healing traditions. African drum masters also call it the magical drum since it has the power to make people dance." (Rhythmedge.com/hist.html).
Originally from the West African country of Mali, the African djembe drum dates back to 500 AD. In Mali djembes are regarded with the highest respect as sacred instruments that create the ambiance for union, birth, death, harvest and rites of passage ceremonies. Attesting to this African jewel's transformational power, the djembe goes by the name 'the healing drum' because of its ability to assist healers in calming the human spirit in times of distress. Some drum masters call the djembe 'the magical drum', believing that it has the power to make people dance.
Traditionally the djembe is placed between the legs in a standing position and supported by a shoulder harness. It can also be played in a seated position with the top face facing forward. Sometimes rattling metal tongues are added to create vibrational tones during play. Djembes have three distinct sounds; bass, tone and slap, using both hands to combine these sounds into rhythm. Correct use involves the playing of structured African rhythms complimented by song and dance They can be played alone, in solo, or in collaboration with other players to create a group rhythm.
The
name 'djembe' originates from the wood of the tree used to make a djembe drum.
The djem tree, a very dense wood, found in Mali, is carved into an hourglass
shape. The wooden frame is then skinned with a carefully selected and tanned
goat hide. Matching hide to wood is a unique skill that captures the unique
healing sounds. This match determines the sound excellence of the drum upon
completion.
Babatunde
Olatunji - master drummer and African drumming advocate -
speaks of the art of sourcing wood and hide materials by refering to "spirit".
The wood chosen for a djembe must have
"spirit", and a spirited wood is one that is
"alive", one that can burn all night in a fire. A well-tanned
skin produces harmony and resonance, also reflecting the drum's spirit. The
spirited wood and skin combine with the "spirit"
of the drummer to create soul-inspiring sounds. Babatunde puts it best
when he says "Your
spirit, the spirit of the skin of the drum and the spirit of the wood join together
in playing the drum - that is the spirit of the drum" (In Friedman, 2000).
CULTUARAL SIGNIFICANCES OF THE DJEMBE
In the early African djembe drumming traditions, drumming was primarily a form of communication, facilitating a conversation between members of different tribes. Often covering distances of 25-30 miles, a villager could communicate his departure home by playing a certain rhythm. Traditional African ceremonies also used drumming to commemorate the rights of passage and transitional phases of life. In these moments, the drumming sounds became the sound that inspired transcendence. Most astounding is the healing function of djembe drumming, wherein its sounds have been used to support healing practices and calm the physical or spiritual illness.
Ancient
Illustrations from Egypt and Mesopotamia suggest that drums existed thousands
of years ago. Greek mythology track drums back thousands of years, linking frame
drums to the goddesses Aphrodite and Athena, who played them to celebrate the
divine feminine in Mount Olympian ceremonies. As a worldwide phenomenon, drumming
has been practiced in Ancient Greece, Africa, Asia, the
East, Middle-East and Far East, throughout history. Drum rhythms have
been used by various cultures to invoke transcendental consciousness. Herein
the drumming is intimately bound with the sacred and spiritual, acting as the
conduate between the earthly domain and that of the divine.
Ancient
matriarchal societies used frame drums to celebrate and worship feminine divinity.
Largely associated to goddess cults, these women used
frame drumming and circle dancing to harness lunar energies, thought to be the
symbol of creativity and fertility. Since rhythm
was symbolized by lunar energy, the moon had goddess status for these women.
Attuned to lunar cycles through their menstrual cycles, their rituals celebrated
full moon and first moon to strengthen their creative forces. The frame drum
was a symbol of this connection, and helped bring them closer to their divinity
and the feminine natural mystique. Emblematic of the moon as the mother of rhythm,
a woman holding a frame drum became the symbol of the moon
goddess, considered to be the mother of natural rhythms...
the one who governed the oceanic tides... the mother of creativity
& transformation.
DRUMMING AND TRANSCENDENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS
"Drumming is an ancient technique that has been used to shift states of consciousness. In various ancient cultures chanting, rhythmic breathing and drumming constellated an ancient technique used to synchronize the body with the mind in order to explore varying levels of consciousness. The physical activity of creating repetitive sounds entrained right & left-brain activity to alter brainwaves to a relaxed theta state of consciousness. In this relaxed state creativity, intuitive insight, healing & spiritual awareness contributed towards a condition of healing of physical, psychological and emotional wounds." (Redmond, 1997) (www.layneredmond.com/index.html).
History
tells us that the spiritual art of healing required potent transcendental states
of consciousness to take place. To break ties with the rational mind, rhythm
was used to induce
reflective and awakened mental and emotional states. This
kind of altered awareness allowed the healer to communicate with 'spirit' whilst
in a trance. The Native American Indian Shamans and African healers
used drumming and
chanting to achieve trance state. This trance state altered brainwaves into
alpha and theta states, psychologically proven to promote emotional processing
and introduce peaceful thoughts. This kind of altered consciousness was used
to negotiate spiritual asistance in the healing process. Many traditional healers
and medicine men and women travelled on the beats of rhythmical drumming to
provide the care-giving services their community required of them.
North American Indian shamans used the drum's rhythms to travel into ecstasy. They referred to the drum as a 'canoe' or a 'horse' that transported them into the underworld. Helping them connect with the healing spirit, the rhythms facilitated a journey into the future vision for the tribe. Rhythm anchored the connection to spirit, while keeping the vision alive long enough for shamans to recieve spiritual guidance in maintaining the balance for individuals and the group. In their belief system, the drummer was the gatekeeper between heaven and earth, the drumstick was the masculine device that ensured support from Father Sky, and the drum itself was imbued with feminine energy, symbolizing Mother Earth. The skin was most sacred, due to the fact that a goat had sacrificed itself to honour a 'giveaway'; an honoured gift.
RESEARCH ON THE HEALTH PROMOTING PROPERTIES OF DRUMMING
Research studies conducted by the Rhythmic Entrainment Institute (REI), of the U.S.A. show that drumming can advance the following areas of psychological well-being:
Further
research) showed improvements within 3-4 weeks. Findings conclude that a musical
program of complex rhythmic patterns positively stimulates
the central nervous system. These effects facilitate long-term
behavioural and cognitive improvement in neurobiological, physical and psychological
illnesses.
Repeated exposure to specific rhythmic hand drumming patterns improved the treatment
of mild depression, Autism,
Attention
Deficit Hyperactive Disorder,
behavioural
problems,
immune system problems
and chronic pain disorders like Sciatica
and Fibromyaglia.
HealthRhythms is researching the benefits of drumming in cancer treatment programs. This study is guided by the effects of drumming on the central nervous system and tries to measure the degree to which rhythm influences and promotes healthy immune system functioning. (www.healthrhythms.com).
Neurologist Barry Bittman, M.D. and his renowned research team discovered that a specific group drumming approach significantly increased the disease-fighting activity of white blood cells. These 'Natural Killer cells' seek out and destroy cancer cells and virally-infected cells. Along with conventional medical strategies, Dr. Bittman includes group drumming in all of his disease-based programs at the Mind-Body Wellness Centre. (www.remo.net)
Roskam, (1993; 1995), studied the effects of drumming with groups of troubled adolescents. Results show that drumming positively influenced self-confidence, body image, emotional tone and general mental health.
Psychotherapist
Friedman uses drumming as a therapeutic modality to assist in the treatment
of various conditions. 
Drumming
activities have benefited the treatment of Alzheimer's
Disease,
Cancer,
Multiple Sclerosis,
Parkinson's Disease,
Speech
Difficulty,
Substance Addiction,
Psychiatric Rehabilitation,
Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome,
Stress Management,
Troubled Adolescence,
Autism,
Downe's Syndrome
and William's
Syndrome
(Friedman, 2000).
A pilot study conducted with the children of the Red Cross Paediatrics Burns Unit in Cape Town, South Africa, offered them half-hour drumming sessions over a 3-month period. After two months of drumming, a sensitivity to group dynamics and the beginnings of a group identity began to form. Most of the children showed an increase in concentration span and attention. Interpersonal growth, varying degrees of emotional release and increased self-esteem were also evident (Argyrou, Albertyn, Spence, 2001).
Drumawé used drumming to increase self-esteem in adolescent boys in Cape Town, South Africa, in an extra mural art program, Just Africa. Most of the boys showed increased self-confidence which enabled them to demonstrate their rhythmical skill to the rest of their group. Group solidarity and group support also grew (Drumawé: Just Africa, 2002).
DRUMMING AND PSYCHOLOGY
Information
on the psychological properties of drumming is on a separate page.
To go to this page, click HERE.
THE
AFRICAN DJEMBE DRUM