The World Drum goes to Sagada
Billy Bonnevie climbed up a bamboo ladder to the upraised floor of a small hut in a backyard in Blue Ridge B, Q.C. He gestured towards a circular object standing against a wall, freshly arrived and still wrapped up in masking tape. Addressed to Wlliam Bonnevie, Society of Shamanic Practitioners, Starline Road, Quezon City, it was shipped from Ireland upon his request for the Philippines to participate in The World Drum Project.
It wasn’t as large as expected, only about two feet in diameter. Billy picked up the round item with one hand and brought it down the ladder to the garden. There, sundry offerings had been installed as altarpieces and collective installation — bulols or carved wooden figures, death masks, vases, assorted percussion instruments — right on the ground fringing the grass lawn. A tall arching sculpture simulating a jawbone, created by Agnes Arellano, served as backdrop.
Incense sticks were lit by altarist Boy Yuchengco as Billy lay the much-awaited world symbol of peace on a native mat. Agnes and Grace Nono did the honors, snipping at the tape until the case was unmasked, with Cynthia Alexander joining in to help “unveil” the “sacred object.”
About 40 other people, mostly of a certain mode of consciousness, gathered around in anticipation. The World Drum still lay sheathed within a soft calfskin wrap that sported the names of world drummers who had struck a blow for peace.
Amanda Morningstar Moore, Robert Grey Hawk, Lee Standing Bear, David Quiet Wind and Patti Blue Star of the Manataka American Indian Council were among the names that surrounded geometric motifs.
Finally Agnes drew the leather sheath away, and Grace and Cynthia lifted up The World Drum for everyone to welcome. It wasn’t exactly round, but almost ovoid with three subtle corners. The hide used must have been of a large bovine, with tawny and reddish patterns emerging from the taut ochre that had been painted on with spare lines looking like extended Y’s going in four directions, crisscrossing a central circle
Grace tried to strike gingerly at the drum. Billy said it still had to be “fired” or allowed to adjust to current atmospheric conditions. He carried it away for a while, disappearing into the proverbial bush. Some guys started picking up the percussion items or positioning themselves before congas, tom-toms and the like. Soon a beat was taken up, with Edru Abraham and Butch Aldana leading the spirited charge into universal evocation.
The World Drum then joined the circle, changing hands among everyone who sought to strike a joyous sound in honor of Mother Earth. From Billy to Agnes to Grace to Cynthia and the rest of the garden party, The World Drum began to have its presence felt in our corner of the world.
Edru and Dyango Valmores of Mindanao, both clad in ethnic dress, took turns beating and leaping and dancing with the drum. Deo Arellano sallied forth with a flute when he wasn’t videotaping the welcome rites. Roxie Modesto and Mike “Pikong” Guevarra took to the extremes of wind on their baritone and alto saxophones, respectively.
Some began to chant, sashay and cavort all over the garden. Once again The World Drum had come home, to yet another part of the planet where a counterculture sought to fulfill a dream and a vision by way of healing music.
Google it and you’ll find The World Drum Project that was initiated in Oslo, Norway on October 21, 2006, with a ceremony that took place in front of the Parliament building.
It all started with a dream that visited a fellow named White Cougar, who relayed the message to friends. The Sami drum builder and medicine man Birger Mikkelsen fashioned The World Drum. Wolf, the website and communications manager, sent out the word, gaining immediate response and enthusiasm the world over — for the idealistic global project focusing on peace and the healing of Mother Earth,
“Our aim is to bring attention to the critical situation... The web of life is coming undone and will bring catastrophic consequences. We aim to wake people from their lethargy and indifference. We demand ACTION from our Governments and politicians instead of nice but empty phrases. We have to take drastic action to reduce and stop pollution and poisoning. We need a bountiful harvesting of resources. Today we destroy our own home — Mother Earth — and ruthlessly exploit all her natural resources. Scientific facts, signs and tendencies in nature are all pointing to an accelerating catastrophe.
“We would like to call for all environmental organizations, groups and people who want a better world, to cooperate and unite their force.”
Thus, The World Drum was sent on a journey of worldwide ceremonies. “We are striving to keep the drum in motion — riding on a wave of force... We will weave a thread... which will bind us together in dynamic cooperation for a better world.”
To date, The World Drum has visited 38 countries in the last two years. During the North American World Drum tour, it was confiscated and held “in captivity by the US Government” owing to concerns from the Department of Fish & Wildlife as well as the Department of Homeland Security. It seems the usual pooh-bahs looked with disdain at certain attached objects and bundles, including feathers.
Intercession from the Metis Nation of Canada and the Manataka Nation of the US, assurances from embassies, and coverage on the teapot tempest by APTN or the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network led to The World Drum’s release.
Reported the project’s website: “The World Drum will now be returned... untouched and with all objects and bundles attached. Knowing that (these) may create several problems in many places in the world in the future, and since one of the goals is for it to be in motion, we have decided to remove all objects from The World Drum. These objects and bundles are sacred and will for that reason be treated as such. Removing these objects and bundles will be done during a sacred ceremony with the Oshawa Metis Council... with the exception of the one feather attached to The World Drum on its birth and which is a part of The World Drum.”
Charlie Fife of the Metis Nation summed up the matter: “With these words we thank the Creator of all things, and look forward to the continuing journey of The World Drum. The beat of the drum is the beat of Mother Earth as it is the beat of all that dwell upon her.”
Billy Bonnevie received The World Drum from Alex Duffy of Valhalla, Donaghmore, Ballygarrett, Gorey, Co. Wexford, Ireland. After the ceremonies in the Philippines, he will then send it to Kyzyl in the Republic of Tuva in Siberia, “the land of the throat singers.”
On the first week of April, Billy & Co. take The World Drum to Sagada. The ceremony starts at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, as coordinated with the town’s elders and Presidential Consultant on Cordillera Affairs and former Sagada Mayor Tom Killip. It will be held on the Episcopalian Church grounds, on a vast lawn where students play baseball.
Joining the ceremony is the Sagada Cultural Group. Nose flute player Dom-an Macagne of Kasiyana Peace and Healing Initiatives will start the ritual to welcome the drum. Grace Nono will then share her admirable repertoire of Philippine chants.
Bamboo poles bearing prayer flags will ring the site, along with earth altar installations of stones and firewood. There will be booths offering Sagada coffee, rice wine, fruit wines, jams, fruit juices and other homegrown products.
Composing the drum circle are Billy and his poet-son Shanti, Deo Arellano, Dyango, the Austrian Fritz Barth who is a former drummer with the Pinikpikan Band, and drummer friends from Baguio. The gangsa players of Sagada will certainly join in.
The firewood from the altar installations will be lit for a grand bonfire towards evening that will climax with community jamming and dancing.
Promises Billy: “We will be drumming the night away, with all those gangsas, so that heaven can’t help but hear us.” He adds that the The World Drum Project, Sagada edition, which will also be in consonance with the 5th Lang-Ay Festival on April 7 in Bontoc, “is dedicated to our dear friends Pepito Bosch, Roberto Villanueva and Santi Bose.”
Back in Metro Manila, The World Drum will have a special role at the Interfaith celebration of Earth Day 2009 at La Mesa Eco Park on April 18, featuring the musical artists Kontra Gapi, Musikalinangan, Brigada, and Cynthia Alexander, among others. And in the Earth Jam on Tomas Morato, Quezon City on April 24, The World Drum closes its stint in our neck of the global woods.
May we then move on to healing.
