Recently I was asked for a statement to be quoted about women and drumming, and to respond to the questions below for a newspaper article: No musical instrument belongs to womens legacy more than the Frame Drum. Why do women drum? Women have been uniquely involved with food preparation and agriculture since its introduction around 10,000 years ago in the Near East and Southwest Asia. Since ancient times, womens share of work for the community is defined by their unique responsibilities with child-raising. Home camp is a safer environment for infants and children than mens work of hunting. In order to meet the often sudden demands of small children, womens work needs to be interruptible, such as weaving, cooking, and agriculture. From the planting and harvesting of grain to the production of edible food, one of the most important processes is sifting grain. An essentially rhythmic activity, women still gather together today in many parts of the world to make this task more productive and enjoyable, by sifting grain in rhythmic entrainment and singing. As the work is finished and the cleaned grain is stored at the onset of winter, it is not difficult to imagine our ancient mothers longing for the sense of camaraderie which they experienced with their sisters while working. The grain sieve had been not only the implement of their work, but also their creative expression and emotional link with the community. In order to maintain their rhythmic socialization, affixing an animal skin to the frame of the grain sieve was a logical next step. The Middle Eastern frame drum no doubt evolved within womens groups, from the fields to the dining room. In addition, the frame drum became an instrument of spiritual authority, utilized by priestesses to engender elevated states of consciousness. From the sacred to the profane, still today women gather together around the frame drum from the western edges of the Mediterranean all the way to Western China, and everywhere in between. Drumming feels good since it connects us with the pulse of life. Why should women drum? For more than 10,000 years, a primary characteristic of life in the Middle East is social gender separation. Many aspects of womens work are rhythmic in nature. Is natural that women gather together to perform their rhythmic tasks, not only for more efficient production, but also to empower one another in the process and to promote deep bonding. When men or women drum in any situation, they tap into the pulse of life. When women drum together, they drop into their true ancient legacy and power source.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 09:19:51 +0000
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