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April Newsletter: Drum Ritual Trance and other celebrations

Q: Disclaimer: Use of Copyrighted Images

The images used on thisblog and in our newsletters are sourced for educational purposes only.These images are the property of their respective copyright holders andare used under the principle of *fair use* to support commentary,analysis, and discussion. We make no claim of ownership over anycopyrighted images and have taken all reasonable steps to attribute themappropriately.If you are the copyright owner of any imagefeatured here and believe it is being used improperly, please contact usdirectly. We are committed to respecting intellectual property rightsand will take prompt action to resolve any concerns.This contentis not intended for commercial use, and any reproduction ordistribution of the images without proper authorization may violatecopyright laws.

Welcome to our spring Newsletter

We’ve been busy the last few months organising some wonderful activities and events we know you’ll love. They reflect a number of celebrations, collaborations and culturally uplifting experiences. They educate, raise awareness, and promote well being. In March, the month dedicated to Women gave us the opportunity to celebrate their achievements and diverse lived experiences. As publishers we are delighted to take part in the UK’s National Year of Reading, as this gives us the chance to celebrate our publications and invite you to check out our list to take part too.

Highlights of recent events

The Power of Abundance workshop – celebrating International Women’s Day (Women’s month), on 7th March, held at Colliers Wood Library, with Nicole-Rachelle Moore facilitating a fun-packed, creative, immersive experience. This event was sponsored by BAME Voice as part of a current series of well-being, educational and creative activities aimed at Global Majority Merton residents.

Reading presentation of Aunty Joyce Trotman’s Dis Gyrl, held on 21st March. An excellent overview of the extent of the British empire’s education (inculcation) system, which overshadowed the local Guyanese expressions of culture and identity. The charming Joyce Trotman, in her 98th year, shared songs, recitals/verses and the methods of learning multiplication (rhythm and rote) that were emblems of the empire. Though it was intended to keep the colonised citizens ‘faithful’ it also unintentionally led to proficient education levels higher than those of counterparts in the UK. Independence brought an awareness and acknowledgement of Guyanese cultural identity, demonstrated by folk songs, art, creolise and a flurry of initiatives that for Aunty Joyce represented the independence of mind, body and spirit. Held at the wonderful Fulham Palace Museum, as part of their Black History All Year Round programme, in partnership with Black History Walks and marking the 20th anniversary of the African Odysseys programme. This event also celebrated Guyana’s 60th year of independence, Women’s month and the UK’s National Year of Reading.

Last week’s (Saturday 28th March) Black Women and Menopause event – with screening of the @Nicola Cross directed short film – Our Menopause, plus discussion with two of its participants, Dr Juanita Cox-Westmaas and Dr Angelina Osborne; nutritional healthy ‘lunch’, sugar scrub massage and a ‘letter to pre-menopausal’ self corner. Saw women sharing safely, openly, lovingly. We recognised that there is not one fit for all with the time of life some of us have been conditioned to dread, struggle with, have negative ideas about. For some it can be traumatic and deeply life altering, for others there’s hardly anything noticeable. We accepted that our responses can be both collective and individual/unique and mostly it is a celebration, contrary to what we’ve previously considered. It was acknowledged that within Black communities/families there is hardly any discussion about the menopause – with some elder women unable to pass on valuable wisdoms to the next generation. And while the next generation might feel the menopause is remote (somewhere in the distant future) the intergenerational exchanges about what might happen is priceless. With thanks to @BAMEVOICE for sponsoring the event and the North East Mitcham Community Association for hosting in their venue.

Coming up

Book this Event

The retentions of African indigenous cultural and spiritual practices are experienced in varying degrees throughout its diaspora. In Guyana, the traditions of Kwe Kwe (a pre-nuptial ritual), Komfa, involving the calling and response to rhythmic drum beats and trance possession, myth-making and storytelling are a few of the cultural expressions that have been retained.

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of 3 publications, this presentation showcases examples of the retentions, with emphasis on the ways drums and drumming induce trance. We will consider the difference between trance and other forms of spiritual possession as explored in the 3 books