Drummer's Mandala

The drummers and percussionists sit and stand together in a semi-circle, or rounded "V", like the rising sun of the larger mandala. There will be benches for seated drummers, and two areas for standing drummers/percussionists to offer their sonic gifts through the evening - congas set up on one side, and African hand drums on the other. Bass drums - dunduns, surdos, etc. - are set up behind the seated hand drummers around the perimeter of the drummer's mandala. In the center of the bass drummers is the OneDrum - this sacred site is for experienced drummers to hold the honor of keeping the "One," or the Pulse, of the rhythm, so that the other drums may stay connected with each other.

Tradition for drummers at a fire circle has developed differently at various festivals, but the shared ideals are:

• Ask permission before using another person's instrument. If they are not around to ask, don't use it.
• If you want to put your drum down and dance, rattle, chant, or rest, remove it from the drumming area so others can have a place to sit or stand. If you don't mind others using your drum, leave it upright and uncovered in front of a bench. Leaving a drum on its side increases the risk of the head being punctured.
• Playing a range of dynamics - fast and slow, quiet and loud - for longer periods of time is a great thing for dancers! Be willing to keep on a groove.
• Keep eye contact with other drummers and the rest of the circle, especially the dancers.
• If you notice that there is an abundance of drummers, it's a great time to chant, dance, rattle, or take your turn feeding the fire, smudging at the portal, or giving food/water to the circle.

There will be experienced fire circle ritualists at the festival, who have gone through many sunrises in many different places. Some of them will be introduced at the Unifire Ritual, and some you will meet in workshops. Throughout the evening, these ritualists may step forward to help facilitate the energy of the circle by directing the drummers to steady their rhythm, slow down or speed up, grow quieter or louder, or other inspirations. While we encourage you to do your will and be free in expressing yourself at the fire, we also ask that you lend your eyes and ears to these wonderful people when they step forward, so that we can make the most inspirational container possible for the dancers, chanters, and rattlers! If you have not attended a fire circle of this type before, keep your eyes and ears open to the flow of the energy, and stay connected with the other drummers and the dancers. We encourage drummers not to "trance out" to the point where they are not aware of what else is going on - remember, drummers and dancers are a lemniscape of inspiration and service for each other, and depend on each other for their sacred work.

Return to the mandala