In an article written about African Drumming, Dr Dawn Joseph reached fascinating findings when she visited our spring drum retreat in 2019, while investigating the power of West African drumming.
This research explores why people came together to share music-making and practice at a drumming retreat, and what they experienced as a recreational group music activity.
Two overarching themes are explored: drumming for leisure and cultural connections.
Dr. Joseph argues that West African drumming as a “shared energy” experience has the power to positively impact participants’ lives, fostering cross-cultural understandings.
Here are a few of our favourite points from the article:
🎵 African Drumming builds bridges and foster dialogue, allowing for a better understanding of the people, culture and music in Africa.
🎵 African Drumming brings a positive effect to participants’ lives.
African Drumming spring retreat

🎵 There is a deep sense of belonging in the drumming community, being part of something intangible and ancient.

Read the article here

”"African musicians appear so generous; there is a fire in the music when drumming with the African teachers"

”"There is a deep sense of belonging, being part of something intangible and ancient”

”"The drumming community is like family"

”"When Africans teach drumming, it is all about the feel and how parts lock together, timing is still important, but the focus is about feeling it in one’s body rather than reading it off a piece of paper"

African Drumming spring retreat

Thank you to all those who participated and to our beloved drumming community