Local-Women's Drum Making Workshop-FULL
The next local workshop will be on April 2nd 2017
At: Lions Bay,In many ancient cultures around the world sacred drumming was one of the primary skills that women learned, making their own drums among them.
Because it is my sincere belief that the creation of a sacred item is a very powerful and beautiful exercise, I think that every woman should have the opportunity to learn how to create their own personal tools.
I also believe that regardless of the belief system, each women can create and use a sacred drum made by themselves for their own unique spiritual practice and in doing so deepen both themselves and their spiritual connection. Hand crafting a red drum has created hundreds of "Red Drum Carriers" and through this process women join others women from all around the world.
What the workshop looks like:
During this one day workshop women will have the opportunity to craft a 14" red Elk drum and their own beater through ceremony, laughter and connection. The hoop is handmade and steam-bent out of red cedar.
The lacings we use are red to match our work with the divine feminine and are red waxed cotton cording.
The hoop part of the drum can represent many things, the circle of life, death, and rebirth. It also represents the Celtic wheel of life, the Medicine wheel, and for us as women the circle of the drum represents the moon and our scared connection to it.
“The tree birthed the drum so that we and spirit could speak with common tongue.”
E Bonnie Devlin- Huntogi Drum master.
Women taking the workshop will also learn a little about the history of women using drums from ancient times, hear a sacred story of initiation and power, and have the opportunity to decorate their drum frames and beaters.
We will explore the lore and mystery that surround women drummers and their spiritual use throughout history, as well as ancient drumming practices the "juicy" history of the color red and the divine feminine.
Before the class begins woman will also receive information on finding the perfect piece of wood to create their drum beaters/ tom tom, with information on 10 different trees and the sacred aspects of each one.
There will be a one hour pot-luck lunch break, and we will end the last half of the day creating and decorating the drum beaters.Women will have the chance to take their finished drums home this day.
Support and resources for drum playing will be given as well for those interested in learning more and going deeper.
The skin used for these drums is Elk, and will be hand dyed by Nikiah prior to the workshop. The dye is a secret mixture of plant based materials, with the main base being beet and pomegranate juice.
The cost is $250.00 and can either be paid in full, or in two instalments.
Workshops must be paid in full at least one week before the workshop to ensure your space.
Please contact Nikiah at:nikiahseeds@gmail.com or call 604-782-6679 of you have any questions.
If you are interested in having Nikiah work with a group that you put together yourself and are here in the lower mainland. The minimum is 8 people.
If Nikiah needs to travel outside the Lower Mainland the minimum is 10 and the max 20.