| Estimated to be between 20,000 and 30,000 years | | | | techniques, and other vital information that can |
| old, shamanic drumming is considered one of the | | | | benefit the community. |
| oldest methods for healing. Practiced in diverse | | | | When a spirit is invoked, there is often an |
| cultures around the planet, this technique is strikingly | | | | accompanying rhythm that evolves. Shamans |
| similar the world over. Shamanic drumming uses a | | | | frequently use specific rhythms to summon their |
| single, repetitive rhythm played at a tempo of three | | | | helping spirits for the work at hand. Shamans may |
| to four beats per second. Although sounding quite | | | | have a repertory of established healing rhythms to |
| simple and redundant, the unique connection between | | | | treat a variety of conditions, or improvise a new |
| the drum and the shaman gives this drumming great | | | | rhythm, uniquely indicated for the situation. |
| power, richness, and depth. | | | | "From the shaman's perspective, the drum is used to |
| The sound of the drum is very important. It is the | | | | call on his or her helping spirits for entry into and |
| subtle variations in timbre and ever-changing | | | | support in the spirit world. The drumbeat also serves |
| overtones of the drum that allow the shaman to | | | | as an anchor, or lifeline, that the shaman follows to |
| communicate with the spiritual realm. Part of the | | | | return to his or her body and/or the exit the trance |
| shaman's training involves learning to hear and | | | | state when the trance work is complete. The other |
| interpret a larger range of frequencies than the | | | | specific uses of the drum are diverse and determined |
| normal person can. The shaman listens and finds the | | | | by culture. Each culture has its own pattern of |
| right tone, the right sound to which the spirits will | | | | rhythms that serve the different functions of ritual |
| respond. Through the many tones, pitches, and | | | | and ceremony."(n2) |
| harmonics of the drum, the shaman communes with | | | | Drumming Promotes Healing |
| the subtle and normally unseen energies of the spirit | | | | Like the colors of the rainbow, each culture has its |
| world. | | | | own hue or identity, yet each is a part of the whole. |
| Tuvan shamans believe that the spirits of nature | | | | Although the function or intent may differ from |
| create their own sound world, and it is possible for | | | | culture to culture, rhythmic drumming invariably has |
| humans to communicate with them through the | | | | the same power and therapeutic effects in all |
| sound of the drum. Tuva (southern Siberia) is one of | | | | traditions. The resonant qualities and attributes of |
| the few places in the world where the shamanic | | | | these rhythmic phenomena are universal and come |
| heritage has remained unbroken. Tuvan shamans use | | | | into play whenever we drum. The sound waves |
| the drum to convey to the spirits of a place their | | | | produced by the drum impart their energy to the |
| greetings, any requests, and thanks. It is a spiritual | | | | resonating systems of the body, mind, and spirit, |
| practice designed to help human beings relate to all of | | | | making them vibrate in sympathy. When we drum, |
| nature. | | | | our living flesh, brainwaves, and spiritual energy |
| Drumming opens the shaman's inner, spiritual ears and | | | | patterns begin to vibrate in response. |
| eyes and also calls the helping spirits. As Tuvan | | | | Science is now verifying the therapeutic effects of |
| musicologist Valentina Suzukei explains, "By changing | | | | drumming. Recent medical research studies indicate |
| and listening to the frequencies and overtones of the | | | | that drumming boosts the immune system and |
| drum, the shaman is able to send messages to, and | | | | produces natural pleasurable experiences, enhanced |
| receive them from, both the spirit world and the | | | | awareness of preconscious dynamics, a release of |
| patient. For example, the shaman might use the | | | | emotional trauma, and reintegration of self. Other |
| overtones to send signals to the sky, where they | | | | studies have demonstrated the calming, focusing, and |
| provoke a voice from the cosmos; in turn, the | | | | healing effects of drumming on Alzheimer's patients, |
| cosmic signals are caught on the drum and reflected | | | | autistic children, emotionally disturbed teens, |
| to the shaman through the creation of subsequent | | | | substance abusers, trauma patients, and prison and |
| overtones."(n1) The shaman builds a sonic landscape | | | | homeless populations. Study results demonstrate that |
| which interacts with the natural world. | | | | drumming is a valuable treatment for stress, fatigue, |
| Functions of the Shamanic Drum | | | | anxiety, hypertension, headaches, asthma, chronic |
| The primary cross-cultural function of shamanic | | | | pain, arthritis, and sleep and emotional disorders. |
| drumming is to induce altered states of | | | | References: |
| consciousness for both journey and embodiment | | | | (n1) Kira Van Deusen, "Shamanism and Music in Tuva |
| trances. Shamanism is the intentional effort to acquire | | | | and Khakassia," Shaman's Drum, No. 47, Winter 1997, |
| and nurture ongoing relationships with personal helping | | | | p. 24. |
| spirits by journeying into realms where the spirits | | | | (n2) Christina Pratt, An Encyclopedia of Shamanism |
| dwell. The reason for developing personal relationships | | | | (The Rosen Publishing Group, 2007), p. |
| with spirit helpers is to gain wisdom, healing | | | | |