If you were to do online research on a Drum Circle, you would receive thousands and thousands of hits. Drum Circles have been around in different civilizations-primarily in Africa and India-thousands of years B.C. In fact, drums can be recorded approximately 6,000 years B.C. “Drum circles are the oldest form of community building known to the world. Back then, in the Neolithic Age, tribes depended on each member doing his part for the betterment of all.” (History of Drum Circles - www.mademan.com)
The two primary functions were for communication and ceremonialism. Members of tribes would signal to each other through the different sounds, tones, and pitches of a drum to convey languages. Ceremonies also played an integral part to drumming during this time. During ritualistic and traditionalistic events, tribes would beat to drums to express celebration of that event.
Presently, the Drum Circle has dramatically changed. It went from a ritualistic way of communication to a new age, self-expressive, and modernized way of team-building and communication through making rhythms and working together. The two distinctive forms of Drum Circles include: A Community Drum Circle and Facilitated Drum Circle. A Community Drum Circle is open to the public, does not require a facilitator, consists of improvisation, and participation is normally voluntary where members can dance, chant, sing, listen, or drum. A Facilitated Drum Circle is the opposite. It is a structured program that requires a facilitator. It has a methodical approach in learning and applying rhythms to therapeutic exercises. Additionally, it has applications in team-building, communication, relationship building, education, and wellness, to name a few.
