When the drummers were women [antikvár]

InTRODUCTionCybele/Astarte with drum. From the necropohs of the ancient Phoenician city of Carthage, circa fifth-third century b.c.Handheld frame drums are among the oldest known musical instruments. They are hoop-shaped drums with a diameter that is much greater than the depth of their shell. In prehistoric times, their rhythms helped shamans and seers attain the sacred trance state necessary for healing and prophecy. The rituals of the earliest known religions evolved around the beat of frame drums.These religions were founded on the worship of female deities Mother Goddesses who evolved into the many goddesses of Mediterranean cultures in classical times. In the oldest times women's bodies were considered holy, because they had the seemingly magical ability to give birth,- to create new human beings. As a result, women became the first technicians of the sacred, performing religious functions we would today associate with the clergy or priesthood. Sacred drumming was one of their primary skills. It remained a powerful too! for communal bonding and individual transformation until the fall of the Roman Empire.Though the existence of cultures whose primary deity was a goddess has been well documented in the last twenty-five years in popular and influential works by scholars such as Marija Gimbutas, Buffie Johnson, Merlin Stone, Rianne Eisler, and Joseph Campbell, the role of women as custodians of the spiritual life of these cultures is not as well known. Perhaps for this reason, the significance of the frame drum as the focus of women's spiritual power has been virtually overlooked.In modern times, drummers have been almost exclusively men, but more and more women are rediscovering their ancient birthright. Every year there are more professional women percussionists.