I've been doing some reflection lately, and I’d love to share an observation that’s been on my mind, along with a question. When we attend Kirtan, we enjoy beautiful Indian songs, often in a language that many of us don’t speak. We read and sing the lyrics, fully immersing ourselves in these chants that feel both borrowed and authentically inspired.
In our Taiko drumming classes, we dive into Japanese rhythms with so much enthusiasm! We’d never think about stopping abruptly, pulling out our cell phones for a chat, or wandering off mid-rhythm to do our own thing.We follow our leader without any complaints. If someone doesn’t enjoy the experience, they simply don’t come back.
We make sure to learn all the techniques needed to play these rhythms well, along with the names of the pieces. This respect for the craft extends to Middle Eastern drumming and many other forms of folk music and dance. When we participate in these traditions, we show them the respect they deserve—if we don’t, we just don’t come back!
In yoga class, we follow the guidance of our young instructors who help us refine our postures and offer spiritual insights. We don’t suddenly spring up and start moving however we feel like.
My point is this: We embrace elements from diverse cultures and rituals with respect, absorbing their songs and customs as we participate. We don’t question it. This holds true for various arts from tea ceremonies to fine arts—we follow along with respect and don’t say we’re "doing our own thing."
However, I can’t help but notice a lack of the same reverence when it comes to West African traditions, particularly those involving the djembe drum or Afro-Cuban folkloric drumming like the conga.
People do not show these traditions the same respect that they deserve. The respect that’s so evident in other practices simply isn’t there.
Many people playing these instruments in drum circles don’t even know their names or understand that they are actually musical instruments!
We see advertisements proclaiming things like "there are no wrong notes," "come to the play shop," "drumming for fun and wellness" and "play percussion toys," and many folks seem to buy into this mentality 100%.
Many of the leaders of these jams and drum circles either don't know, don't care or are ambivalent.
And I totally agree that drumming is fun, and I also do it for fun. And it is great for wellness and I applaud people working and helping others heal using the drum. But there needs to be a balance, a sharing, and an understanding and respect for the drum and the culture, the people it comes from as well.
I recently watched a video of a vibrant celebration in Guinea and followed it with a video from my local areas drum jam in Florida, and it made me wonder: Why can’t we come the together to play, dance, drum, and sing with the same spirit of collaboration and learning that we embody in these other cultural practices? It’s a thought that intrigues and puzzles me.