Frame Drum & the Divine Feminine Lineage
“Throughout the ancient Mediterranean world, the Great Goddess is portrayed with her frame drum, which was traditionally played by priestesses in many of the religious rites of the times. A powerful trance-inducing instrument, the frame drum is the oldest known drum and was played primarily by women ”
~ Layne Redmond, “When the Drummers Were Women”
DEDICATION: This BLOG is dedicated to Layne Redmond, scholar, and frame drummer. Thank you Layne for all that you inspired!
What is a Frame Drum? ~
The “Her”story
The Frame Drum is among the earliest drums you can find an image or text sources.
The earliest image was found in a cave in the region that is now Turkey.
By definition, a frame drum is a drum that has a drumhead width greater than its depth.
✨The frame drum is an ancient instrument used by cultures around the world for both personal and group enjoyment.
✨Through its vibrations, sound, and entrainment, you can easily experience its potent, mystical healing qualities!
Women & Frame Drumming ~
The Ancient Connection…
LADIES, DO YOU LIGHT UP WHEN YOU HEAR DRUMMING?
WANT TO KNOW WHY?
IT IS IN YOUR DNA!
The frame drum was traditionally first seen played by women in cultures worldwide
It is known as one of the ONLY women’s drumming traditions in the world.
WOMEN DRUMMERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD:
✨ Depictions of women drummers have been found in burial goods and artifacts throughout ancient Mesopotamia, Turkey, Egypt, Greece, and Israel.
✨ In the ancient world, Shamans and priestesses played frame drums as part of sacred religious rites and Goddess worship ceremonies, chanting and singing with drums as a means of powerful connection.
✨Through drumming, ancient women reunited with their divine feminine energy and harnessed that energy for transformation.
FRAME DRUM CONNECTS US –
A “SACRED THREAD” :
✨Frame drumming is a sacred thread that connects women across centuries – from ancient Sumerians to early Biblical times.
✨These ancient women never interacted with one another, yet they all accessed the divine, transformative thread of frame drumming in their own cultures and mystical rites.
There is something magical that is FELT when women gather to drum.
You can not express it in words. It is an ancient, nurturing feeling.
That thread still exists today – we just have to pick up the drum to connect to it!
Now isn’t that cool?
Please read Layne Redmond’s book,
When the Drummers Were Women” for more inspiration on the rich history of Women Drummers!
So, Why Play the Frame Drum?
✨The frame drum is a powerful vehicle for the visions of shamans, and the source of trance and ecstasy in rituals and ceremonies. As well as for people who want to do their own “journey work” through focused rhythm and sound.
✨ The frame drum can be enjoyed in many ways!
HERE ARE A FEW…
~ Enjoy for your own personal practice (enjoy for fun, pleasure, healing, relaxation)
~ Share with your friends (at parties/gatherings)
~ Teach a drum workshop in your community
~ Incorporate drumming in your professional work (great for healing arts professionals)
~ Compose your own drum songs
~ Perform
✨The frame drum can be played in three playing styles (click images to watch videos in each style) –
~ Upright Style
~ Lap Style
~ Free Hand Style
And is quite EASY (and FUN) to learn!
PICK UP A FRAME DRUM TODAY AND EXPERIENCE IT’S
ANCIENT, MYSTICAL & HEALING MAGIC!
(fyi, frame drumming is not just for women, many of today’s leading professionals are men!)
Some of the MANY Benefits of Drumming!
DRUMMING IS THE HAPPY DRUG!
Drumming promotes the production of endorphins, the bodies own morphine-like painkillers, and therefore makes you feel VERY Good, after playing for just a few moments!
Seriously, you feel amazing after just playing the drum for a few moments because your inner chemistry has been romanced by sound!
Here are just a few health benefits of Drumming…
✨DRUMMING CAN HELP:
~ Decrease stress
~ Help control chronic pain
~ Help release negative feelings
Not to mention DRUMMING is just plain FUN…
CLINICAL TEST:
A medical research led by Dr. Barry Bittman, indicated that drumming boosts the immune system and increases cancer-killing cells, which help the body combat cancer as well as other viruses, including AIDS. According to Dr. Bittman, “Group drumming tunes our biology, orchestrates our immunity, and enables healing to begin.”3
*More inspiration: Read Marla’s other blog on drumming & wellness!
“Drumming is one of the most accessible forms of ritual because drumming along with our own heartbeat is so natural. It calms, centers, and reconnects us with our deeper selves.”
– Barry Bittman, MD
Ignite your Drum Practice!
I drum to seek inner peace.. A place to let my soul fly.
The drum is like a best friend, always there for me.
An incredible tool and resource for life!
Get your fingers dancing TODAY with my Frame Drum Academy Online Programs!
Try our FREE Mini Course!
HAPPY DRUMMERS ON THE PATH…