The djembe is recognized in West African communities as a healing drum because of its history as a tool for traditional African healing ceremonies. Drumming in West African culture was primarily to communicate across far distances. The djembe drum became a mouthpiece for tribal groups to connect and converse from afar. Drumming was used as well for celebrations and as a warning against danger. However, recent research indicates that drumming increases self-esteem and other cognitive skills, which can assist in treating various illnesses.
The origin of the djembe dates to 500 A.D., from Mali, West Africa. Djembes from Mali are regarded with the highest respect as sacred instruments that create a transformational power and the drum’s ability to assist healers in calming the human spirit in times of distress. Drumming provides a way to connect with people without language and cultural barriers.
Therapeutic drum rhythm techniques have been used for thousands of years to create and maintain mental, physical, and spiritual health. Drumming can accelerate physical healing, boosting the immune system and producing feelings of well-being, releasing emotional trauma, and reintegration of self. Rhythm is a powerful tool that permeates the entire brain. For example, vision is in one part of the brain, speech is in another, but drumming accesses the whole brain. The drumming sounds can generate connections even where there is significant damage or impairment in the brain.
The drum-making process from various African cultures is quite sacred. There are essential instructions in gathering the materials for the drum, who has the privilege of preparing the drum, and the behavioral rules that can be displayed around this precious percussion instrument. During the making of the drum, prayers are communicated to ensure the release of positive energies where the drums are played.
The drums signify the earth in some African cultures. The drum’s round form represents the universe, and the steady beat, is the heart, throbbing at the center of the universe. The awareness of the beat creates the line between the physical reality and the spiritual world. This sound can stir us up and help people understand the mystery and power of all things.
We all are vibrational energies. It is the essence of our existence. Everything in the universe has vibrational energies. So, we all have a rhythmic vibration set to motion. The benefits of drumming are physical and mental and come from rhythmic healing. This type of healing works with the natural law of resonance to restore vibrational integrity on a more holistic level. Drumming can make our physical bodies, brainwaves, and energy channels (such as meridians or chakras) vibrate in response.
The djembe drum is part of a group of instruments called membranophones. Membranophones create sound from the vibration of a membrane or skin. When the drum is struck, the skin reverberates, and the shape of the hollow drum acts as an amplifier. The sound is projected out of the bottom of the shell. The notes are achieved by striking the drum in different places and with different parts of the hand. There are many other types of African drums, most of which use the principle of a vibrating membrane. The djembe is made of a hollow hardwood body, with skin fastened over the top. The skin is traditionally rawhide, such as goat or cow skin. Modern djembes are now primarily made with synthetic skins. The skin is attached by tightly stretching over the shell using metal rings and rope. The tightly stretched skin creates a sound when it is struck. You play it by hitting it with your hands and fingers.
The djembe has three introductory notes – the bass, tone, and slap. The bass is the lowest pitch, the tone is in the middle register, and the slap is the highest pitch. The djembe is easily recognizable and is one of the loudest African drums. The tighter the skin, the louder the drum. Most people find the drum as one of the most accessible instruments to play. But the critical part of the sound is the proper placement for the bass, tone, and slap. And the tone is one of the hardest of the three introductory notes. You must place your hand correctly on the drum for the different sounds, or the language you speak on the drum will be muffled and incoherent. So, like any musical instrument, it takes the correct instructions and skill to make the drum speak. Most West African cultures call the djembe a “talking drum.”
A djembe instrument is a versatile tool in music therapy, and djembe drums can create sounds that resonate with all individuals at every developmental stage. The organizing and unique structure of rhythm can produce far-reaching effects on the brain, influencing thinking, perception, and learning ability. Non-verbal communication skills such as turn-taking and sharing can bridge the gap towards improving verbal skills, reducing a sense of isolation, and encouraging positive changes in mood and emotional well-being.
Creative djembe drumming can provide unique and therapeutic opportunities to release negative emotions, decrease anxiety and tension, and renew energy levels. When an individual plays the drums extremely fast and loud, they may even be able to release pent-up feelings of stress or frustration within a safe and non-threatening environment. As well as individual work, djembe drums can be utilized in group music therapy sessions. Drum circles can act as powerful facilitators for increased social connection with others, reduced feelings of isolation, and improved self-esteem through self-actualization.
Below are 12 of the health benefits you can employ by using the drums in your healing journey:
Body
Cancer-Fighting
1. A study by Barry Bittman revealed that using specific rhythm protocols helps to increase Natural Killer cells in cancer patients. The protocols enhance the immune system, consequently assisting the patients in managing symptoms better. Having a heightened immune system helps to slow the progression of the disease.
2. Relief from Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease and Strokes
Research shows that when Parkinson’s patients hear slow, steady rhythms, they move at a more regular pace. It also helps patients deal with the symptoms of depression often associated with Parkinson’s.
3. Brain Workout
Drumming synchronizes the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Listening to the music of drums builds new neuronal connections throughout the brain. More access to your brain and connections improves your overall cerebral function.
4. Cardio and Strength Training
The constant tapping of the feet and rapid hand movements helps drummers to build more cardio muscles than non-drummers. It is an excellent way to exercise for those who don’t like to work out. People have burned an average of 252 calories per hour drumming.
5. Pain Reduction
A study at the University of Oxford on the effects of drumming on pain showed how drumming releases endorphins that increase the pain threshold.
Mind
6. Reduction of Stress, Anxiety, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Drumming is a valuable tool for those living with the symptoms of the disorders mentioned earlier. Playing the drums helps to boost alpha waves (supporting a calm and relaxed feeling). It also quiets the flight and fights response, consequently reducing the effects of anxiety and PTSD.
7. Increased Insight
When we drum, the frontal and lower parts of our brains synchronize. This synchronization process helps produce feelings of insight, certainty, conviction, and understanding. These benefits last for a long time after drumming ceases.
8. Expression and Release of Emotional Issues
The rhythm released while playing the drums resonates within every cell of the body. This resonation stimulates the release of negative cell memories. As a result, drumming provides a healthy outlet for liberation from trauma.
Spirit
9. Puts You in The Moment
The art of drumming involves timing and coordination, consequently forcing you to be in the here and now. Drumming grounds, you. It gives you a few moments to take a vacation from worrying about the future or lamenting the past.
10. Encourages Self- Expression
When you play the drums, you can express yourself to the universe and others around you. You can speak to your own spirit. Touch the soul of others and tap into the universe’s energy in a way that words cannot express.
11. Increases Awareness of the Natural Rhythm That Surrounds Us
Rhythm rules everything around us on a cellular level. Plants, animals, constellations, and even dust have a natural pattern of rhythm it adheres to. The process of drumming connects us to cadence and makes us more aware of the beats surrounding us.
12. Connects us to a Higher Power
The superstring theory states that the quarks (particles that makeup protons and electrons) that make up the entire universe are one-dimensional strings that vibrate. The different oscillations of the string produce other sub-atomic particles.
Final Word by Doc T Elliott
It stands to reason that producing a rhythm on drums is a creative process not just in the ‘creative’ of writing music but in creating different states in the body and perhaps the universe itself. The meditative state of the drum’s sound helps us access a higher perception. If used with mindfulness, it will give a deeper understanding of the enigma of life.
I have been playing djembe drums and leading drum circles for over six years and thought I knew how to play. However, I started taking lessons from a djembe master drummer two years ago, and now I am clear that playing the djembe is much more complicated than I thought and takes a lot of focus, concentration, and practice. Learning to play the djembe correctly, bouncing the strokes of the drumhead, and syncing rhythms to my heartbeat and emotions is helping me to be a better person and a calming spirit. The most significant element in studying the djembe, it helps to develop my mindfulness. It allows me to stay calm through adversity and understand if I fall or mess up, to get back up and start at the one. If you are not able to purchase a djembe drum and need something smaller you might want to purchase a box drum.