Indigenous Instruments & Education
The guiro, a seemingly simple instrument carved from a gourd, holds within its hollowed form a captivating history, diverse uses, and a vibrant tradition that spans continents and cultures. Its rasping, rhythmic sound, produced by scraping a stick across its … Continued
Carved from wood and cloaked in the whispers of centuries, the bata drum resonates far beyond its hourglass frame. In the hands of skilled players, it becomes a voice, weaving tales of ancestry, invoking deities, and pulsating with the vibrant … Continued
Last month we built a earth cob oven here at Archaic Roots during the Mystic Arts Immersion. This was one of the most influential workshops of the event, which required many hands and feet to complete throughout the weekend. Colíbrí … Continued
The slit drum is indigenous to many cultures around the world. Though in this article we will be examining the mesoamerican (includes much of modern Mexico and Central America) slit drum specific to the Americas (pre and post contact). These … Continued
The bullroarer, turndun, or rhombus is an archaic instrument used for thousands of years into the past. It seems the whole world utilized this instrument at some point, and it may be one of the oldest in our history. These … Continued
By James Kennedy Published Aquarius Atlanta Magazine, August 1994- republished with permission from Don Martin (Editor) 2018 At first, the visitor may get the impression they’ve fallen through a time-warp. And in a way, they may be right. The rural … Continued