By Shauna Jemmott
“THE art of drumming is dying,” she said with a wistful look in her eyes. “Many have lost interest in the art, and the few who’ve remained faithful through the years have become disheartened.”It’s a fact that has not been lost on us here at the Guyana Chronicle, which is why we sought out Sister Clementine Marshall, a longstanding member of the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA), to find out exactly what is happening with what is arguably one of the most precious gifts passed on to us Guyanese by our African forebears.

It was she who conceded that the art form is slowly dying, but she was quick to point out that ACDA is trying its best to somehow keep the form alive.

“Sometimes we find when we go into communities,” Sister Marshall said, “many people do not have the time because they have to work. Some just do drumming because they love to drum, but they get disillusioned and put the drums down, and maybe go and do cement work or something else because they get nothing from drumming.”

And if they do manage to get something, it’s just a pittance. “If you notice,” she said, “when they are out on the road with their little box, somebody will put twenty dollars. How many twenty dollars you have to get to get a thousand dollars?”

But one of their biggest problems is seemingly recognition. “They complain that they don’t think they’re getting enough recognition,” Sister Marshall said, adding: “When somewhere wants drummers, they just ask for drummers… But how are they surviving? They need exposure!”

And this is where ACDA comes in, she said. “In ACDA, we have a youth group. Every Saturday, we have drummers; young drummers that are coming up. We try to see if we could have a continuity of drumming with other people.”

She is of the opinion, however, that the Ministry responsible for Culture, Youth and Sport could do a lot more than it is doing for drumming, rather than just focusing on developing and promoting the sport aspect of its work.

“We see the Ministry of Culture, they’re looking to sports and all of that, but not at our music and our drumming…. So, in ACDA, we try to encourage them; to bring them out, especially at Emancipation time, so that persons could see them.”

FESTIVAL OF DRUMS
She has a fair idea how the Ministry of Culture could help drummers get the recognition they crave.

“The Ministry of Culture could put together a festival of drums, where drummers from all walks of life could come and showcase their art; to expose them, and let them feel recognized. I think that would help.”

She said that while she’s specifically speaking of the promotion and development of African drumming, a fusion of drums would create a unique Guyanese sound.

“We were at the Marriott the other day, and we had the Tassa fusing with the African drums and it was lovely!”

And while on the subject of cohesion, she feels that the government would do well to seriously consider economic and cultural cohesion.

“We talk about cohesion, but we have to have it in every sphere: Economically and culturally,” Sister Marshall said.

POWER OF THE DRUM
Drums are important tools for sending messages; but there are also ceremonial drums used in weddings and other occasions, as well as drums that bring healing to the sick, according to http://www.african-drumming.com.

“Drums are instruments that, when you hear them, you feel something inside your body because they have this supernatural power which goes into the body and touches our soul and awakens our spirit… The person’s spirit and the drummer and drum spirit come together as one spirit, and that person also has a very high spiritual communication with drum and the drummer…

“Drum rhythm is an international language in any culture or tradition…” the website explains.