History of djembe african drumming babatunde olatunji duration. In almost all ancient tribal and traditional societies drums were and still are used in rituals, ceremonies. Experience west african drumming sit digital collections school. They are distinct from a drumming group or troupe in that the drum circle is an end in itself rather than preparation for a performance. A deeper debate over drums in church christianity today. With the increasing popularity of drum circles, group. Tales of the african drums clayton county library system. The drum circle facilitator, or leader, need not be a formally trained musician, but she should have some musical skills and some sort of training in drum circle facilitation. The fact is that drums have been an intrinsic part of african life for countless generations. Africanbased rhythms for drum circles 3rd edition with added preparatory exercises, bellpattern exercises, and section on elements of rhythm. African drumming african drums beats black history black history month drum circle drumming instruments music rhythm. I personally feel due to experience that even though those drums may be more accessible, they do not usually find their way into the hands of good drummers. Throughout my independent study period i was able to find books and articles written on. Understand the imporatnce of drums in the african culture to communicate and celebrate.
Jive djembe drum bongo congo african wood drum med size 12 high professional. Drumrise west african djembe drumming, drum circles, and. But with the indigenous people, this activity has depth and purpose. Not far from the desk display is a section on drum history. In western culture the idea of drumming is nearly always associated with entertainment or just to add to the musical quality of a song. Drumrise is committed to expanding opportunities for people in the southeast to study west african music, drum circle facilitation, and related disciplines with the highest caliber professionals in their fields. Some argue that it is better to have a djembe style drum than to not have a drum at all.
A hippieera use of traditional african instruments has become a. Kalanicamarawest african drum and dance student enrichment book. Search the worlds most comprehensive index of fulltext books. Bells and a circle of beeswax on the drumheads produce even more musical variation. The book will be useful to musicians, drummers, dancers, musicologists, dance ethnologists, arts therapists, art historians, linguists, philosophers and other social. Try searching on youtube for drum circle and you can find some great master facilitators who conduct brilliant drum circles. Communities around the country and across the globe are catching on to this, new age trend, as it. That includes the traditions of magic, knowledge and an open heart.
The modern drum circle as we know of it in todays context is considered an american phenomenon, as the respected purveyor of the craft, arthur hull states. Drum circles started popping up in america around that time. African based rhythms for drum circles 3rd edition with added preparatory exercises, bellpattern exercises, and section on elements of rhythm. Practiced by various groups, and outlined stepbystep in the book, finding sanctuary in nature. One of the bestknown african drums is the west african djembe pronounced zhembay. More than 20 years ago, mohawk musician jonathan maracle says, god told him to use his drum an instrument used in traditional religious ceremonieswhile playing at. African drums hold a special place in the history of africa. To play djembe means to stay true to the history of the djembe. A drum circle is any group of people playing usually handdrums and percussion in a circle. Indepth coverage of popular percussion instruments, including history, tuning.
The djembe master or soloist leads the pace of the dance, increasing the tempo when good dancers enter the circle. History of african rhythms a brief background and history of african music the african continent is the second largest continent in the world, and its people constitute a 10th of the worlds population with about one thousand indigenous languages spoken throughout the continent. The rhythms and dances of guinea, west africa spring to life in this. Together in rhythm a facilitators guide to drum circle music now. Amegago draws from his lifelong research in african drumming, music and dance, arts and. History of african rhythms drumconnection world djembe.
Origins it is widely believed that the djembe pronounced jem beh has its origins with the numu, a social class of professional blacksmiths from the mandinka maninke people of western africa in around 0 ad. In western society, drumming is seen as art and entertainment. Drum circles are playing a part in recreation, wellness, meditation, employee teambuilding and alternative therapy for a number of health conditions. African drumming in drum circles percussive arts society. It is shaped like a large goblet and played with bare hands. Drumming as therapy drumming therapy has potential to be therapeutic in a variety of ways. Kusun ensamble playing djembe at kusuns family house. African drumming the history and continuity of african drumming traditions has been inspired by the need to document and share african drumming traditions. In africa, drums hold a deeper symbolic and historical meaning. Before we play a clavebased groove, i give a brief history of. The importance of drums in african tradition africa.