Written by: Claris Lam
Feb 4, 2025
Introduction
When someone brings up drum circles or participates in one, a main question that comes up among many first-time participants is: “What are the origins of drum circles?” Drumming has deep cultural roots in many parts of the world. This first part will discuss the West African origins of drumming.
Drum Circles in West African Culture
While the oldest known drum dates to 5500 B.C in China, it is widely understood that drum knowledge and drum rhythms mainly emerged from Africa.
One particular type of drum circle is the Djembe Drum Circle, which originates from West Africa. The Djembe drum itself is believed to originate from Mali in West Africa. The Djembe is a goblet-shaped hand drum made from a single piece of wood with a goatskin head. Each Djembe drum possesses unique characteristics and tonal qualities, since they are traditionally crafted by artisans using methods passed down through generations. Other types of drums involved in West African drumming include the Dundun (talking drum), the Sabar, a pair of talking drums called the Atumpan, and supporting drums to provide a rhythmic foundation and maintain consistent patterns.
The Djembe Drum Circle tradition emerged as a way for communities to come together and celebrate important events such as harvests, weddings, or initiations. It served as both entertainment and as a form of communication between individuals and groups within African societies. The Djembe Drum Circle tradition helps strength bonds within the community, facilitates spiritual connections, and preserves cultural heritage over generations.
Experienced musicians, or griots who possess extensive knowledge about traditional rhythms and songs, often led these drum circles. These individuals are responsible for passing down oral traditions through music and dance performances. Polyrhythms are a key element of West African drumming. Drummers use polyrhythms to create intricate textures in their music by layering different time signatures. Currently, African drum circles are often used in Western therapeutic settings to reduce stress, improve mental health, and foster a sense of unity among participants. The healing aspect of drumming is very popular in the West. Community drum circles still persist as a powerful way to bring people together, transcending language and cultural barriers through the simple act of creating rhythm in unison.
African drumming is also used to teach teamwork, discipline, and cultural appreciation in educational settings. Schools and community centers embrace African drumming as a way to introduce children and adults to the richness of African traditions and encourage creativity and collaboration.
Published February 4th, 2025
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About the Author
Claris Lam
Claris is passionate about making grand ideas accessible to a wider audience. She has written articles about emerging environmental technology and research, lifestyle, studying, and career advice, and anime and manga for several organizations including Sustainable Waterloo Region (SWR), TalentEgg, and Comic Book Resources (CBR). When she’s not writing informative articles, you can find her playing the piano, pipe organ or violin, writing new fiction and poetry books as an indie author and poet, or reading.