DDDC 6th Anniversary pics

"Last year, an old friend from high school found me through the internet. It had been over fifteen years since we last spoke, and both of us had changed names. It was a joyful surprise to be reconnected with my friend Beth.

Beth is working in Afghanistan as a contractor - helping to support the prison system in a way consistent with values for humane treatment of all people, including detainees. I talked her into sharing her mailing address so that I could send random boxes of treats from the US. Having spent three years working in Korea, I knew how cool it was to get mail stuffed with the familiar flavor of home. She wanted to respond in kind with something unique from Afghanistan (and she wasn't taking no for an answer). I told Beth that I have been collecting rhythm instruments from around the world, and I imagined that she might find me a rattle or small bell.

Several weeks went by, but Beth did not find any instruments in the markets that she had access to. Traditional instruments are difficult to find in Afghanistan as they are slowly recovering from a time when the Taliban banned music and dance for all citizens. I thanked her for looking and said that I also really enjoyed hats.

While nibbling on some Halloween candy, Beth's translator Wazir asked about the source of the treats. She told him they had come from her friend in the US with the interest in percussion. Several days later, he brought Beth a drum. This was a precious gift indeed!

Last night, while celebrating the sixth anniversary of Different Drummers community drum circle in Yarmouth, the drum had it's debut making music with others. I shared the story of the drum with the nearly forty people gathered for the celebration and asked them to join me in playing a song for Afghanistan. The reply from the drum community was enthusiastic to say the least.

Robin Jellis played her cello, I played my harp and I asked our drum guru and organizer, Rick Cormier, to play the drum. We improvised a song for Afghanistan. We played a blessing for the drum and from the drum. We wove intentions for music, dance and joy to return to the people of Afghanistan. And the music was as beautiful and peaceful as the shared inentions of the circle. Other drummers joined us softly, and the music continued to rise.

After the song was over, a drummer suggested that we send the drum around to each person in turn, giving them the opportunity to bless it and play it. Through the next three or four pieces, the drum traveled around the circle, each person taking it carefully in their hands and giving it their own unique voice as part of the group's song. Several of us danced for joy in the center of the circle, as it continued on its rounds.

The song has been recorded, and will be posted as soon as the digital recording has been prepared for download. There are photographs of the drum's tour of the circle in my album "Drumming for Afghanistan". Please enjoy the pictures and, if you are so moved, play or dance a bit for the people of Afghanistan today. Do it alone, or better yet, share the experience with some friends." ~Daryne Rockett