By Jan Boal, RN
Drums have been used as far back as 5500 BC in China. This drum was made of alligator skin. Countries and cultures from around the world have used drumming for many reasons, including healing practices. Made from the trees and skins of animals found their region. Egyptian, Greek and Roman cultures used drumming for cultural and religious ceremonies. Drums were used as military signal warnings, spiking fear on to the battlefield of their enemies. In Africa, this instrument was used for long distance communication with other villages, in times of peace and war, celebrating and
mourning births and deaths, as a part of their daily lives as in planting and harvesting. Native Americans too used drums for many of the same reasons believing their drum is a living spirit to be respected as trees and animals gave their life for this instrument. As well their drums were used for chants, communication to Great Spirit and their ancestors, healing and dance ceremonies.
As far back as the 12th century the Sa’mi drum and Shamanism has been mentioned in notes. Shamanic drumming is considered one of the oldest
methods of healing practices in many cultures. Shamanic and spiritual drumming is about love, healing and helping all races come together.
Drumming circles are found in communities across our nation today and continue to provide healing for its participants. This brings about feelings of comfort and joy along with a sense of community. These drumming circles, or a one on one such as in Shamanic practice, takes one out of processing the past, or worry about the future and out of stress responses. Instead bringing one into a state of freedom within the present moment, where everything is possible. Its use has taken new paths with modern day therapist who specialize in this technique.
Whether for dementia patients, and other cognitively, physically, challenged patients as well as neuro ailments such as stroke and Parkinson, and those suffering trauma. Drumming boosts our immunity system to aid recovery from illness by activating our killer T cells, powerhouse cells that fight infection and disease. Our cells operate at distinct rhythms based on their location, heart, liver, brain ect, all
having their own unique pattern creating wavelengths. These also affect our alpha and beta brain waves. New studies on drummers show they have fewer but thicker fibers in their connecting track between the two sides of the brain. Their motor brain areas are more organized, more efficient. More and more are looking for holistic healing modalities. Drumming builds self-esteem, releasing negative energy and increasing positive energy. Medication and therapies sometimes are not enough. Vibrational frequencies through drumming and other music therapies can reach places in our psyches, the deep core of our beings, that traditional medicine can’t reach. The fundamentals of harmonics of vibrational frequency waves structure physical specific frequency, the primal pulse that underlies all manifestations. A cycle of frequencies is an octave, and its octaves form wavelengths that structure matter.
The Universe is composed of a symphony of wave forms with the harmonics played on a vast range of octaves. All aspects of matter and reality can therefore be transmitted resonantly as harmonic overtones. There is only energy – infinite and creative. Drumming reweaves the web of existence, connects to our primal energy. We become one with what we are made of.
Join Jan at Rising Hearts Studios in downtown Nehalem on Tuesday September 26th from 6 to 7 pm for the monthly community drumming circle.
