drumming as a path

Since humans first began to walk on this Earth, people were probably drumming.  On every continent drums and other percussion instruments were created from a variety of materials, depending upon what was at hand.  Every culture had, and still has, some form of drumming.

It’s in our blood.  

Part of our way of being, drumming is not only woven into many cultural expressions but also exists, naturally in Nature Herself. Rhythmic beats are all around us; the sound of the ocean waves breaking on the beach, rolling thunder, the brushing sway of the prairie grasses or the slap of our own hands against our thighs as we sing and feel the music.  It’s something we do – all of us.  

Drumming, singing and chanting unite us at our core.  This is why it feels so great to do; it takes us back to that simple place of being present, fully present to our own inner rhythm and song where we energetically connect with our authentic self and with others . . . without talking.  Our overactive left brain has to take a break and release to the beat of the drum.

Whether one is connected to Irish/Celtic tradition, African, Indian, Siberian, Asian or Native American culture, here in the Pacific Northwest drumming is all around us and practiced at various gatherings, spiritual circles and for shamanic journey experience.  We are blessed to have access to such a multitude of drums used locally: the Acoustic Drum Set we all know from rock bands, the Bass Drum, Conga, Tabla, Bongo, Marching Snare Drum, Djembe, Tambourine, and Hand Drum, to name a few.

Starfeather began her personal journey with the drum when she moved to the Seattle area in 1990.  Until that time, she’d never held a drum in her hand and was only familiar with the mesmerizing tribal sounds of African drumming.  In the early ‘90s in the Northwest however, women’s circles and other drumming circles were blossoming everywhere.  Large gatherings like the Medicine Wheel Gathering lead by Sun Bear were annual events where people drummed, and of course there was, and still are, Seattle’s Northwest Folklife Festival, the Daybreak Star Powwow, and others.  At one of these events, someone placed a hand drum in her hands, and Starfeather immediately felt the connection and the joy of drumming.  It wasn’t long before she wanted a drum of her own.

In our American culture, we are led to believe that music is for entertainment and to be done by the few and the gifted.  Not so, says Starfeather.  Her own experience of being kicked out of the school choir in sixth grade for singing off-key was a shaming it took her years to get over.  Now she often sings or chants while drumming and has found it to be an act of empowerment, as well as fun.  “I do sing off key sometimes, and I really don’t care.  That’s not what it’s about for me,” she says.  “I love to belt out a song that speaks of my love for the Earth, or generate chants from my soul that are connected with something ancient within me.” 

In our efforts to recover our feminine power, being able to speak our truth out loud from our hearts is an important part of our remembering who we are.  Our women’s voice, collectively and individually, is an important part of our reclamation. For too long, we have stepped back and not spoken up.  The drum is a tool to assist us.  Like lifting weights to gain muscular strength, drumming exercises the muscle of empowerment.

Making your own drum is very fulfilling and often thought of as birthing.  It’s a piece of work to create a drum, but it's so rewarding.  The bond between you and this instrument is made and sealed in a very special relationship and primitive way that lasts a lifetime.  An ally and helper, your drum becomes good medicine as you work together.  The Spirit of the drum as well as the sound of the drum create wholeness.

Check Starfeather’s Event Calendar on this website for a listing of upcoming drum making ceremonies and dates for Drumming our Prayers, a drumming circle she facilitates.