Iraq Surrounded by magnificent green mountains, the sounds of drums and laughter echo from the highest elevations in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region. This area has experienced years of violence and destruction. But even the worst bombings have not stopped the music. Today, you can see signs of reconciliation, dialogue, and healing through drumming.
Americans have a rich history of musical diplomacy. Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie were among few performers who penetrated the Iron Curtain during the Cold War to offer a glimpse into American jazz and also the ideals of a free democracy. From Musical Mission of Peace—a nonprofit organization that promotes singing on the streets of Baghdad as a way to foster peace—to American jazz musicians performing in Afghanistan and Iraq, musical
exchange programs inspire audiences by unifying those who cannot speak to one another because of language barriers.
In 2007, a new initiative in musical diplomacy, conceived by conflict resolution specialist Melinda Witter, was begun. Director of the Institute of War and Peace Reporting in Iraq, Witter dreamed of bringing drum circles to Iraq for communities where hope was lost, tribes were at war, and rehabilitation and therapy were unaffordable. She first experienced a drum circle at a trade show, sponsored by the international music products association, NAMM, where she worked one winter. “I had a vision that drumming could unite Iraq’s conflicted groups and benefit communities,” says Witter.
The First Step
Bringing drum circles to Iraq was a sensitive subject to approach since Witter did not want to offend anyone’s religious beliefs. She wanted to present music therapy focused on scientific research, health benefits, and healing perspective. Through surfing the Internet, Witter found Christine Stevens, music therapist, founder of UpBeat Drum Circles, and consultant to Remo HealthRHYTHMS, and the two immediately started planning a trip to Iraq.
After some fundraising efforts, Stevens and her team Mark Montygierd and Constantine Alatzas from UpBeat Drum Circles put together a five-day drum circle facilitator and conflict resolution leadership training program in 2007, hosted by Kurdistan Save the Children and sponsored by NAMM and the Rex Foundation. The training brought together 38 individuals from different ethnic, language, and religious backgrounds including Kurds, Arabs, Assyrian Christians, Muslims, and Yazidis. Many of the participants, hand-picked by Witter’s organization, were not drummers, but rather community leaders, therapists, and even tribal leaders.
Using instruments donated by the REMO Drum Company, the training session incorporated 100 frame drums, tambourines, and sound shapes to complement the Iraqi daf, doumbek, and tonbak drums. The colorful weaving of instruments and cultures formed a drum circle that incorporated other nonpercussion instruments and began with a melodic solo called a taxim, played on ney (flute), oud (guitar), and violin, and sung, followed by the drum circle format.
A participant from Mosul said, “I was amazed to see people of different cultures making music together.” A young
woman said, “Drumming helps you find your hope.” Participants were enthusiastic about the five days spent drumming, peace building, and learning about a diverse collection of cultures. Based on the success of the program, Stevens was invited back to Iraq, resulting in two more trips in October 2008 and April 2009. Ethnomusicologist Craig Woodson, Ph.D., author of Roots of Rhythm, joined the team to teach drum making for youth empowerment and economic development, using recycled materials.
Percussion sounds and ancient drums have historical roots in this region of the world that is considered the birthplace of civilization. Percussion instruments used in music therapy— the daf and tonbak—are indigenous to the northern region or Iraq. “We have a root in the history of the drum, called the daf —religious, social, emotional and psychological roots. We need to make the drums into weapons of peace,” says Mohammed Tofiq, director of Kurdistan Save the Children.
Iraq is a land of rhythm and dance, where ancient cultures sing, dance, and drum, no matter what age or level of ability. Drum circles extend the rhythmic spirit of the people into the goals of conflict-resolution, therapeutic rehabilitation, and stress reduction. One young woman shared, “Through the drum circle, there is no difference between boys and girls, no division, just playing drum. The drum circle erased the lines. We can express our understanding of each other through the drums.”
Rhythm Seeds in Bloom
The five-day training program inspired the first music therapy program in Iraq, in the Sulaymaniyah Children’s Rehabilitation Center, run by Kurdistan Save the Children. Stevens trained Raz Hana Garib, music therapy department manager, physical therapist, and graduate of the original five-day 2007 training program, who is teaching music therapy methods to others. Today, medical staff and parents applaud the outstanding healing impact for the children at the music therapy center, which was recently highlighted on Iraq national TV.
Down the road, advocates of music therapy hope there will be an accredited program at the local Sulaimany University where therapists can become certified.
In the small town of Halabja, where more than 5,000 Kurds were killed 20 years ago by a chemical bombing attack during Saddam Hussein’s regime, a youth activity center now offers drum circles for the community and local schools. One young man stated, "The drum circle was the first time I could let go of my grief.” Trained facilitator Jalal Ahmad says, “When your heart is broken, music repairs your heart from the inside out.”
Christine Stevens, MSW, MT-BC is an author and music therapist, founder of UpBeat Drum Circles and consultant to Remo HealthRHYTHMS. Conflict resolution specialist Melinda Witter is the direct or of the Institute of War and Peace Reporting in Iraq.
Check out www.ashtidrum.com to watch a video and for more information about the program. A CD and documentary are planned, so stay tuned for more about this inspiring story. Visit the Kurdistan Save the Children home page at www.ksc-kcf.com.
