Why I Drum

Standing in the center of hundreds of people, the grass and earth below my feet and the thumping vibration cascading through the land, I feel the breeze like a cocoon as it swirls around the surrounding circle, a pale pink hue filters through the gentle clouds above- belying the sunsets approach. 

Boom. 

The drum beats penetrate through the gathering, shaking even my soul. 

Boom. 

I see birds flying in the distance, the ground reverberating, the trees that lie on the outskirts of our gathering, shiver with the dance of the unified drum. 

Boom. 

I look to the faces of those who hold steady. Resilience, compassion, determination, in their embers of eyes as we drum together. 

The echo. 

The ripple. 

The voice of the drums that speak for us when we have no words. 

The call of the nations gathering. The unification of hearts and rythyms. 

Boom. 

We gather for peace. 

Around me, the pigment of human skin, the color that glows from hundreds of eyes, the faces weathered or new; are all distinct, orginal, individual and diverse. But we have a common heritage, a cultural connection between us all. 

Our ancestors drummed. 

All nations, all cultures, all lands, all people, used the drum to call in the realms beyond. We drummed to speak, to dance, to pray, to beckon, to merge with the dimensions of mystery. 

This is how we advocated for the survival of our tribes and clans. The drum opened the heavens with rain, cloaked our warriors in protection for battle, spoke to the caverns of dear Mother Earth, and most importantly- cleared away the discord and illusion in order to hear the message of our hearts united. 

Uni-One. 

Verse-Song. 

Universe, we are One Song. 

We are one circle. We are one people. Let our drums be heard. Let our wholeness be known. Let the dimensions tremble with those who will gather and place the shield and sword to rest as they carry forward the drum and stick. No more war- but music. The courage to be heard. The strength to stand and be seen. The invitation to all as we create the symphony of peace. 

We are here. 

Boom.

                                       Katie Jo

Register for the World Echo Drum Circle here:

W.E. DRUM for PEACE