When the Drummers Were Women: A Spiritual History of Rhythm
by Layne Redmond
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For millennia, the sacred drummers of pre-Christian Mediterranean and western Asia were women. In this inspiring book, Layne Redmond, herself a renowned drummer, tells their history. Artistic representations reveal that female frame drummers carried the spiritual traditions of many of the earliest recorded civilizations. During those ancient times, the drummer-priestesses held the keys to experience of the divine through rhythm. They were at the center of the goddess worship of matriarchal show more societies until the ascendance of patriarchal cultures and the loss of drumming as a spiritual technology. With wisdom and passion, Redmond chronicles our species' deep connection to the drum, our rich heritage of inseparable spirituality and music, and the modern-day women reclaiming it. This book encourages listeners—both women and men—to reestablish rhythmic links with themselves, nature, and other people through the power of drumming. Redmond illustrates her message with an extensive collection of images gathered during ten years of research and travel. Woven throughout the book are strands of ancient ritual and mythology, personal stories, and scientific evidence of the benefits of drumming. It is at once a history, a memoir, and a resounding call for spiritual and social renewal. Produced and published by Echo Point Books & Media, an independent bookseller in Brattleboro, Vermont. ©1997 Layne Redmond (P)2022 Echo Point Books & Media, LLC. show lessTags
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Great information.
This book is a historical reference piece on the divine feminine. Where it began, how it developed, how it died and how it is reviving. it is very well-researched and goes into great detail about individual goddesses of the drum and rhythm. It goes very in-depth into the sacred feminine and where that has derived from. It speaks of different cultures from around the world and the female deities who represented them.
The illustrations although black and white really add to the book and it's information. Some of the photos are of ancient statues and carvings and paintings that are just unbelievably gorgeous.
It had a lot of information for the Layman but not a lot of new information for the well-versed. If you are a show more seasoned Pagan practitioner you will probably already know most of the things covered in this book.
Altogether the book is very well compiled and obviously very well-researched. It is put together in such a way that it tells a definitive story throughout history. in my opinion this is the best way to lay out a historical reference book. it makes it much easier for the reader to follow and remember the information they are reading.
This is definitely a book that I would recommend to any woman looking to revive her ancient roots and become in touch with the rhythm of her sacred & divine self. show less
This book is a historical reference piece on the divine feminine. Where it began, how it developed, how it died and how it is reviving. it is very well-researched and goes into great detail about individual goddesses of the drum and rhythm. It goes very in-depth into the sacred feminine and where that has derived from. It speaks of different cultures from around the world and the female deities who represented them.
The illustrations although black and white really add to the book and it's information. Some of the photos are of ancient statues and carvings and paintings that are just unbelievably gorgeous.
It had a lot of information for the Layman but not a lot of new information for the well-versed. If you are a show more seasoned Pagan practitioner you will probably already know most of the things covered in this book.
Altogether the book is very well compiled and obviously very well-researched. It is put together in such a way that it tells a definitive story throughout history. in my opinion this is the best way to lay out a historical reference book. it makes it much easier for the reader to follow and remember the information they are reading.
This is definitely a book that I would recommend to any woman looking to revive her ancient roots and become in touch with the rhythm of her sacred & divine self. show less
I got this book from a friend who was moving and just put in on the shelf I have for spiritual studies and the occult. I needed a book for a reading challenge and picked this one pretty much on a whim without knowing what it was going to be like. It turned out to be really interesting, with a lot of historical notes and pictures of artifacts to back up the author's ideas. Recommended to anyone with an interest in women's history or ancient music.
In this long-awaited, lavishly illustrated book, drummer Layne Redmond presents an empowering narrative history of the sacred drum in the ancient Goddess civilization, using her extensive collection of images gathered during more than five years of research and travel in the Mideast and Europe. 80 photos & drawings
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Healing resources for women
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Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1998
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Music, History, Sexuality and Gender Studies, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 291.37 — Religion Other religions [Formerly: General Religious Topics] [formerly: Public worship and other practices. Relocated to 203] [formerly: Labyrinths, Mandalas, and Symbolic Meditation. Relocated to 203.7]
- LCC
- BL625.7 .R43 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion Religions. Mythology. Rationalism Religions. Mythology. Rationalism
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 234
- Popularity
- 138,638
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.95)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 1
