WHY A DRUM?

I bought this drum from Kristen “The Drum Lady” as a gift for myself many years ago. A few years before, I had somehow stumbled across her drumming class and got hooked on the djembe! Not that I was very good at it, but it’s very good. It makes great music, and I’m proud to help it do so. 

I’ve been participating in drumming classes on and off for almost twenty years now. That’s enough practice that there are some things I can play on it with ease and success.  As a wise woman I know well says, “Practice makes progress.” I’ve practiced playing the djembe, and I’ve made progress. 

Mostly I’ve made joy. 

Playing a rhythm over and over can bring me to an elevated, elated state. Does it do that for you? Add a circle of drummers, and… wow. Miracles.

So when I was reached a milestone and transition point in my life, one that I felt could be enhanced and marked by a special object, I chose a djembe for myself. That way, I could play at home, even without a circle of other drummers – though the circle is still important and enjoyed when possible.

Drumming circles are a theme in The Scrolls of Deborah. The women gather and drum and breathe and chant and dance and feel the miracle of unity and community. Deborah learns to make drums. Drums are an important part of her life and the novel. She receives her first drum when Tanqo, who had taught her to make them, gives her a small one to take with her on her journey through the desert. Deborah knows the journey will be a hard one, and that she doesn’t know what awaits her on the other end. She says she has no use for a drum. But Tanqo insists, telling her,

“Perhaps you are right, my girl,” she said. “Perhaps you are right only for right now. You feel you have no need for a drum, but one day, you will experience joy again. And when you do, you will have a drum at the ready. Take it, please, this little heartbeat for your new life. One day, replace it with a bigger one.”

I didn’t make up this concept. I took it straight from the Torah. After the Children of Israel crossed the sea, Miriam raised her drum and led the women in song. So, first they were slaves, then they were fleeing, then they played drums. Where did they get the drums? This means they had to have brought drums with them out of Egypt. In their difficult times, they looked ahead to the future and packed and planned for times of more joy. 

When the Children of Israel had to carry everything they took out of Egypt, when they were going to unknown experiences with fear and danger, the women took their drums. These drums were hope and faith in addition to unity and community and joy. My djembe flew from the United States in the underbelly of a jet and across the Atlantic Ocean and over Europe to a luggage carousel in Ben Gurion airport, where I was glad to reclaim it. 

When I moved to Israel, I thankfully was not fleeing. I came here because I thought it was going to be wonderful – and it is! But I’ll be honest: I almost left my drum behind. It’s easy when faced with limited space to only pack what we truly need, and it can be easy to forget that we truly need joy. Thankfully, I have the djembe here to remind me.