key term - Drumming

Definition

Drumming refers to the practice of creating rhythm through striking a drum, which has historically served as a powerful form of communication and cultural expression among African and African American communities. In contexts of resistance, drumming has been used as a means to convey messages, organize efforts for rebellion or escape, and maintain cultural ties, especially during the era of slavery. It often played a vital role in fostering unity and resilience among enslaved individuals, allowing them to express their identities and assert their humanity in oppressive circumstances.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Drumming was often used by enslaved Africans to communicate over long distances, with rhythms conveying specific messages or alerts.
2. Many enslaved people adapted traditional African drumming techniques into their new environments, creating unique styles that blended African heritage with American influences.
3. In some cases, plantation owners banned drumming out of fear that it could be used to plan revolts or escapes, highlighting its significance as a tool of resistance.
4. Drumming rituals played a crucial role in maintaining cultural identity and solidarity among enslaved populations, serving as gatherings for communal strength and expression.
5. The influence of drumming can be seen today in various forms of African American music, including jazz, blues, and hip-hop, reflecting its enduring legacy in cultural resistance.

Review Questions

• How did drumming serve as a form of communication among enslaved Africans?
  • Drumming functioned as an essential means of communication for enslaved Africans, allowing them to transmit messages across distances that spoken words could not reach. The rhythms created by drums were often coded with specific meanings, alerting others to danger or signaling gatherings. This practice not only helped maintain connections among enslaved individuals but also fostered a sense of community and collective resistance against oppression.
• Discuss the role of drumming in the development of African American musical traditions and its impact on cultural identity.
  • Drumming significantly influenced the development of various African American musical traditions by integrating rhythms and techniques from African heritage. This incorporation helped shape genres like jazz, blues, and gospel music, which reflect the struggles and resilience of the African American experience. Drumming allowed for a continuity of cultural identity, connecting generations through shared musical practices while also serving as a form of resistance against the erasure of their heritage.
• Evaluate the effects of drumming bans imposed by slave owners on the enslaved communities' forms of resistance.
  • The bans on drumming imposed by slave owners aimed to stifle potential uprisings and maintain control over enslaved communities. However, this repression often led to increased creativity in how enslaved individuals expressed themselves musically and organized their communities. Even without drums, they adapted their practices through alternative instruments or vocalizations. The efforts to suppress drumming underscored its importance as a tool for resistance; when faced with restrictions, enslaved individuals found new ways to communicate and unify against oppression.

Related terms

Call and Response: A vocal style where a leader sings or plays a phrase, and the group responds, creating an interactive musical dialogue often seen in African American music traditions.

Spirituals: Religious songs that originated among enslaved Africans in America, often incorporating elements of African musical traditions and serving as expressions of faith and resistance.

Ring Shout: A traditional African American spiritual dance characterized by a circular movement and rhythmic clapping, where participants sing and shout in an expression of worship and communal spirit.