Shamanism and drums

[Philosophia]

The most important object is the drum; it symbolizes many things to a shaman. Sometimes drums are decorated with rattles, bells or bones to represent different spirits and animals, depending on the region and the community.

From here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism).

I know it comes from a Wikipedia site but it highlights something that I've been reading about.

How important is the drum? Is it, as the wiki article suggests, the most important object? Why do you use one?

[SilverClaw]

i give up thinking of topics for in here cause you always beat me to them ... ah oh that was funny :lol: :D now on I go to read :D

[Philosophia]

i give up thinking of topics for in here cause you always beat me to them ... ah oh that was funny :lol: :D now on I go to read :D

Sorry_inabox_ I'm just curious. :hugz:

[SilverClaw]

Sorry_inabox_ I'm just curious. :hugz: :lol: do not be sorry I just think it is funny we have the same ideas for threads that is all :D never be sorry for being curious :)

[Simply Puzzled]

How important is the drum? Is it, as the wiki article suggests, the most important object? Why do you use one?

Some shamanic traditions use drums, others don't. There is actually a relatively modern trend away from drums in places like the Russian steppes, as the Communists cracked down *hard* on shamanism and banging a drum late at night was not the best way to avoid notice. In lieu of drums, they developed other, just as effective means of attaining trance. Once the USSR collapsed, there was no major reason to rush to learn the skill of drumming when they already had a wide variety of well-practiced techniques. Aside from Asians, they tend to be much less popular in Central/South American non-diaspora traditions, as the wide variety of flora gave plenty of drugs to use.

African traditions tend to be very drum-centric though, and Africa still produces some of the best drummers in the world. They weave rhymes so complex that most Westerners (myself included) can often get bored listening because we have a hard time following such intricate patterns, being from a society where 95% of music is 4/4. Drumming plays an especially important role in West African and African Diaspora (most slaves came from West Africa) traditions. The drum is an essential part of Voodoo rites which allows the participants to slip into trance and be "ridden" by the gods.

I do like drums. I have a CD of drumming put out by the Shamanic Institute that is a fabulous aid to trance work, and I highly recommend them. It is almost impossible to maintain the focus necessary to keep up the drumming and journey to the spirit world. Therefore, a CD is a great way to have steady drumming without needing a friend. Supplement this with a rattle (I use some maracas from Musiciansfriend.com), and you're good to go.

[Shanti]

As SP said, drums are not in every tradition, historically and presently.

But on a personal level, I find drumming important sometimes as its represents the heartbeat of all, people, animals, even the earth herself, in my perspective. :)

I dont use a drum but I listen to CD's and my mate plays drums he makes himself from goat hides and wood. So he occasionally beats for me.

Sometimes I use no sounds too. :)

[Shawn Blackwolf]

As a Faery Shaman , and in the tradition of Faery Shamanism...

The Drum , and Gourd...( rattle is the name for the sound...)...are
a possible way of phase locking a particular sphere of emanation ,
or to trance travel...

Specific beats , produce differing effects in consciousness...

It can also call Spiret Helpers , when one has a request , or petition...

The frame drum represents the many levels of correspondences ,
via four , and five , surrounded by the hoop , or circle...

The gourd must also have a specific " tone" , to effect the consciousness
in the particular way which is desired , in our tradition...

I will also speak from this tradition the knowledge that the drum , and
gourd , when a phase locking effect has been achieved , by particular
rythms , the mitochandrial dna is accessed , which we know , within
our tradition , as the doorway to ancestral memory...

The Gourd rattle , and Drum beat , are used to travel...

The Drum beat , is the Spiret Horse Call...

Repeated Drum beat , and Gourd rattle , allows one to travel between
the eleven dimensions of the Faery Tree...

The Drum beat , and Gourd rattle , seperate consciousness from the body...

Lastly...when one uses voice , layered into this steady rythm , there is a
Call and Drone Effect , which can access psychic power , if one has developed it...

All the above information is from the tradition I practice...Faery Shamanism...