Im preparing for work with the blacksmith tomorrow, to make the Dagur-Khorchin-Manchurian style iron drum frame, which I was told to make by a Dagur-Khorchin shaman in a dream I had getting on for a year ago now. In the dream the shaman told me it was for bringing peace and balance to situations - well I guess the world (and all of us - me included) could do with more of that! I have been bemused for months as to why Dagur-Khorchin-Manchu, as I feel no connection to those Mongolian ethnic groups. But I read about 10 minutes ago that the Dagur migrated from Buryatia, and their shamanism has a lot in common with Buryat shamanism - which is a tradition I am drawn to…. I have, and use, many sacred objects connected to that tradition. If anyone knows about the connection between Dagur, Khorchin and Buryat shamanism I would love some more information, as I do not know much at all.. But, Im just doing what my spirits told me. In my dream a group of Mongolian shamans and I were doing ceremony together on the wide open steppes, and a ragged, tatty looking Korean shaman walked across the steppes to us and asked for our help. So, we went with him to Korea and did some work there for the North Korean people, and then the Dagur shaman came to me in the dream and told me I had to make an iron drum frame and also have a set of iron antlers made (these are called orgay in Buryatia) which I am to wear when I use the iron drum, and its all to do with peace, healing and balancing the 5 elements (earth, air, water, fire and emptiness) in conflict situations, as the lack of balance causes the conflict. I know nothing - truly - I am just following the instructions given to me in the dream by the Dagur shaman, and its taken me almost a year to make the drum, but - all being well - tomorrow will be its birthing day…. and maybe the iron orgay antlers too. You have a dream - maybe its caused by gravy, and maybe its caused by the grave (spirits in other words) - who knows! But, you do what the spirits say (or you dont), and the adventure unfolds (or it doesnt). its the road you take, not the destination - who knows whats going on, or why Im making an iron drum frame - I dont - but I will do as I was told in the dream, and take the road and the adventure it leads me too. Ultimately - when stuff like this happens - you have to decide what story you are going to go with. I could be following a load of nonsense instructions from a dream that means nothing, but I choose to honour that dream and do as the spirits said, with the full arm (i.e. not in a half hearted way) - that is the reality i choose - because its more beautiful than just turning over in bed and thinking, well that was a silly strange dream wasnt it! Photos of shamans using these iron framed drums are really, really hard to find - these few are the best Ive been able to come up with.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 17:05:37 +0000
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