Drumming...the heartbeat of ritual!

Keith Muscat in collaboration with Malta Pagana

Since the dawn of time, prior to urban settlements, ritual (in the broad sense of the word) already played an important role in everyday life.  Humans turned to spirituality in search of explanations about matters they could not understand.  Their survival depended entirely on the elements.  Hunter gatherers where at the mercy of circumstances.  Later, after the discovery of agriculture, human existence depended entirely on a good harvest.  Rituals became more enhanced and a go between was chosen to bridge humanity with the gods.  Thousand of years passed between the ritualistic cave drawings and the building of magnificent temples, but the essence remains practically the same – communication with the divine.

Drumming forms an important part of cultural expression for religious, communication and entertainment purposes.  The earliest type of drums date back to prehistoric times. Through archaeological remains we can make an educated guess that these instruments were crated by stretching animal hides over hollowed logs.  Prior to that sounds might have been created by beating sticks on hollowed trunks.  We cannot make dogmatic statements about the use of drums in religious ceremonies, as these people left nothing in writing, but in the way things developed, there is a high probability that percussion played an important role in ritual since its inception.

Drums evolved with the advancement of culture.  New materials started being used.  All depended on what was available at that moment in time.  In Africa, from where all humanity emerged, drums have been used, since time immemorial, for dances in connection with rites of passage and spiritual ceremonies. 

In Asia drums are also an essential part of ritual, like for example during the Shinto rituals (Japan).  Instruments made from alligator skins, dating back to 5500 – 2350 BCE, were found in China.  Also, the o-bon were used in Buddhist ceremonies to welcome the spirits of the dead.

In middle east and India ceremonial drums, such as the naqqara, found their way into their ceremonial practices.  Drumming formed an important part of religious ceremonies in both ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures.  Other instruments started developing and used in conjunction with drums and percussion, for both ritualistic and entertainment purposes.  These cultures influenced the ancient Greeks, whom in turn influenced the Romans.  Frame drums were played by women in rituals associated with goddesses like Demeter, Artemis and Rhea. 

One cannot think about drumming without shamanistic practices coming to mind.  The civilisations of Siberia, Mongolia and other regions induced trance, by drumming, to facilitate spiritual journeys and aid healing.  Similar traits can be found in Native American cultures, where drums are considered to be the voice of deity and used to communicate with the spiritual world.        

Drumming, and music in general are also important to the Judaic faith, which gave birth to the Abrahamic religions.  Their use is also encouraged in scripture:

Psalm 150:3-5: “Praise him with the sound of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.”

But things started to change once Christianity took over.  Drums started to be considered unsuitable for worship as they belonged to the pagan and earthly tradition.  The beat and frenzy were considered as sensual or sexual, and anything of the sort came from the devil.  Churches, especially in Europe, adopted choral music, such as Gregorian Chant, as the preferred method of ritual expression.  With time the organ and chamber instruments where embraced and started to be used during mass.  Drumming remained an important factor in the Catholic worship of African Americans, who integrated the old with the new.    

Neo-paganism is an umbrella term that brings together earth-based religions.  To keep it simple, religions or groups that have adopted pre-Christian methods of worship, practices and traditions, as their core beliefs.  These traditions were not adapted lock, stock and barrel, but modified to suit our need in the here and now.  To neo-pagans drumming is a powerful tool to create harmony within a circle, facilitate the connection with the divine through altered state of consciousness and to work magic, especially for healing.

The drumbeat can be envisaged as the heartbeat of Mother Earth.  One beat connecting all participants to the divine.  The constant beat is believed to induced altered stated of consciousness, by stimulating the brain and creating a sense of euphoria.  This can be used in rituals both to communicate with the divine and to create a sonic landscape to amplify intentions and facilitate the manifestation of desired outcomes – which basically is the meaning of ritual magic. 

Drum circles are also popular as they help to foster a sense of belonging and act as a catalyst for community building.  The vibrations produced by the drum can also have a calming effect, reducing stress and this may lead to healing and the feeling of an over-all wellbeing. 

We have only scratched the surface, there is so much more to find out about the importance of drumming, both in ritual and our well-being.  Try you hand at joining a drum circle, within minutes you will be part of the flow, one with your fellow humans, creation and the divine.   

This article is being presented in conjunction with Malta Pagana – The Ritual – Festival of Spirit on the land of Ancestors.   The fist edition will be held on 25 and 26 October.  

Launched in 2025, this festival aims to bring neo-pagans and interested parties together, in Malta, for two days of blending ancient traditions with contemporary creativity.  The festival invites participants to explore the rich heritage of pre-Christian, folkloric, and earth-based spiritual practices through workshops, music, art, and ritual.

With a strong focus on ecological awareness, personal empowerment, and community connection, Malta Pagana is more than just a festival—it's a sacred gathering that honours the cycles of nature, the power of myth, and the enduring beauty of cultural roots. Whether you're a seasoned pagan, a curious traveller, or a lover of history and nature, Malta Pagana offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of Malta’s ancestral soul.  A Celebration of Ancient Rhythms through Modern Spirit.  Follow our Facebook page and keep yourself updated.  Facebook.com/people/Malta-Pagana.