– Passing on traditions and sharing rich history

WITH a rich history that started over 40 years ago, the Hebrew Family of Guyana Drummers continues to offer the Guyanese populace a style of drumming that is unique, and that is aided by several traditional instruments that all come together to form sweet rhythms.

With over one thousand members here, the group originated in the United States, and its ‘teachings’ eventually came to Guyana. At the time, there were not many drummers around, but as the communities started to grow, the senior members would make it a point to teach their youngsters.

And this practice of passing on their knowledge has continued to this day. The senior drummers would teach their children from as young as possible and give them opportunities to practice to become versed in drumming.
“The group was passed on from earlier generations and we try to pass it down to the youths from a very early age. We will have practice for them and allow them to practice. We put them on the drums to encourage them and give them the opportunity to play,” senior drummer Yeverekhyahu Yisrael told Pepperpot Magazine.

“Right now, a lot of the ones who are drumming, we would say, are the future generations who will take over when the senior drummers say it’s time for us to step down. We teach them the basic beats and everything so that they can be able to carry it on from generation to generation,” Yisrael continued.

With drumming being a significant part of the African culture, Yisrael believes that it is important for the youths to become acquainted with it to help preserve their traditions. At the moment, the youngest drummer is four years old.

The work that the senior members are putting in to train the youngsters is already paying off as just recently, at an event on Main Street, several seniors could not make it to play, and it was the children who helped to save the day. “A lot of the senior drummers couldn’t make it for one reason or another. The children came with their father to see what’s going on, and because they were taught certain basic beats, they were able to fall in and play,” Yisrael recalled.

While the group has members from all parts of the country, once it’s time to practice for a performance, they would all meet at the Hebrew Culture Centre in North Ruimveldt. “Outside of our holy days, every year we participate in ACDA’s celebrations for Emancipation, and we are always the first act to open the event,” Yisrael related. The group would also be hired to play at cultural and other events.

The vibrant and dedicated drummers who are committed to keeping their African musical culture alive are undoubtedly part of one of the best drumming groups in the country. “Our style of drumming is very unique. If you listen to any other drum, they all sound the same in terms of their beats, but with us, each drum has its own melody but combined, we create a wonderful sound,” Yisrael offered.

Explaining some of the instruments they use, he spoke about the bass drums, the second base drums, which keep the tempo of the beat, the third base, and runners – drums that would ‘bring the flavour to the music.’
“They may have a regular beat, but at times they may go off and add some stuff to it. Outside of the drums, there is the Timbale – two drums on a stand that we play with sticks. We have the cowbell; the block – a piece of wood we would hit with a stick; the triangle – a piece of metal in the shape of a triangle; the tambourine and the shaker,” Yisrael shared.

Meanwhile, Obadiah Jones, another senior drummer, was taught by his older folks and is already teaching drumming to his two young sons. “My older generation taught me. One of the things I like about this…even though I am young, I am futuristic, so it’s good to have the youths involved. They need to understand no matter where you’re located….you need to know your roots,” Jones expressed.