The Role of Drums in Spirit Possession;

The concepts and ritualistic behaviors surrounding Vodou drums are related to their capacity as agents of spirit possession, although this process can occur without drums. 

The most thorough and integral explanations of the relationship between drums and possession are given by Vodou servants themselves. The Lwa (Spirits) love music, and each has their favorite beat. From their locations in the Cosmos, spirits respond to a complex of invitational signals sent out by the servants, but the drum might be the most compelling of these. Driven to dance, spirits use their powers to displace, and replace, the souls of dancing Hounsi's (Vodoun serviteurs not yet initiated). 

When a Lwa is present in ceremony, the drummers must keep going, or risk the irritation (ire) of the Lwa who came to dance. Collective energy is a necessary condition for summoning the Lwa, and the drummers use a driving beat to generate it. More specifically, they use a pattern called "kase" (to break) literally to pound a spirit into a servant who shows signs of the onset of possession.

The drummer can permit the tension to build to just the level where the "break" or "kase" serves not to release the tension but rather to climax it in a galvanizing shock, the first enormous blow of kase, which abruptly empties the head and leaves one without any center around which to stabilize. This is the state of helpless vulnerability. Instead of being able to move in the long, balanced strides of relaxation, the defenseless person is buffeted by  each great stroke on the drum, as the drummer sets out to "beat the Lwa into the head of the one getting possessed".

~as taught by Master Drummer Frisner Augustin, God rest your Soul in Ginea

In the images below, you'll see that I had the honor of playing an Ecstatic Dance, the dancer in the photo is experiencing exactly what Master Frisner would refer to as complete surrender of energy and spirit, allowing for what is known as "communal or trance possession". The energy of the drum and of the dance is extremely powerful and will take you to other levels of consciousness, what the Shamans call ASC (Altered States of Consciousness)

Yanvalou

In the ATR indigenous drumming there is a rhythm called Yanvalou, which translates to "come to me" or "I invite you to open to me". This patter I'm demonstrating is a broken down segment of that rhythm. The rhythm itself is an invocation to the Lwa (Spirits) to interact with you and assist with your requests daily or lifelong. A real easy way to remember this pattern is to sing to your self; "I am gonna open up!" Have a look at this video and give it a shot. Open to your Spirits, and your Ancestors. Have faith in their guidance, they will not steer you wrong! 

Aibobo!

 

 Finding Your Spirit Animal and Healing with The Drums - The Doctor and The Shaman - YouTube

An amazing interview with the Doctor and the Shaman on Sacred Healing Drumming!

Drumming principles are used in EVERY indigenous culture around the world. I am extremely passionate about sharing the power of the Drum and Spirit with everyone.

Wake into your truth, confide in your Ancestral guides and get closer to you Spirits!!

Aibobo!

 To understand one's Spirits is to understand the pure self. Before birth we are assigned with a Met Tet (Master of the Head/Guardian Angel). In most cases, people are not aware of their Spiritual Guide, much less who it is and how to acknowledge this deity. In many indigenous traditions, a divination is done to "introduce" the Met Tet to an individual. After receiving this information, we are then told what to offer our Spirit guide in the way of offerings, libations, songs, prayers, etc...

The Guide or Met Tet is merely an extension of the self in divine form. To learn this Guide is to learn ourselves. We must dig deep, past the shadow work in order to fully understand our Met Tet and ourself. It takes a lifetime. This deity walks with us constantly, never abandoning us. We are never left without, when it comes to this powerful self Spirit Guide.

This Met Tet completes the construction of the Soul. In  the Afro Caribbean Diaspora, there are seven parts of the Soul, similar to the seven Chakras respectfully. When all are comprised to create the Human experience it is called the Da, the One, the All. The Ancestral Spirit Danbala, partially derives from this great source of oneness....the Da. All is intertwined and connected. When the body expires, the seven Soul parts separate in traverse to the realms whereby they can download more information and recharge in order to house in another Human body. Thus creating an expanded consciousness. As in life so is the same in the Spirit realm, the more knowledge we download, the more experience we obtain. The Met Tet also has an Esko (escort) of numerous Spirits which to a degree are an extension of this Met Tet, an extension of the self.

It is imperative that we honor our Met Tet and our "self". Never stop learning the "self", it is our role to live and learn on this journey in order for us to either return, grow even more and share our teachings or to arrive home at some point. Honor the Da in you, the One and the connection to ALL that we have been given.

Aibobo mezanmi

Afro Caribbean folkloric drumming

As a drummer, I also teach the rhythms of the Afro Caribbean Diaspora and folklore. I am available for online or in person lessons. This is another means of service to the community as well as building a stronger connection.

Knowing these beats and songs is a form of worship and honor to self and the world around you. Give it a try, reach out anytime and we can get you started on your rhythmic journey!

Quick Yanvalou demo - YouTube 

 

Kongo Rhythm

 Teaching the rhythm Kongo on the Manman drum as used in the Afro Caribbean Kongo/Petro rites. There are typically three drums in each rite. For Ibo/Kongo/Petro we have the Manman, Mittel and the Kata or Ti Kata. Each drum embodies a different rhythm, bringing all three together.

Ancestors offering

 

Service for the Ancestral Spirits