Medicine Drum Making Weekend Workshop
A Journey of Creation and Connection
Welcome to the transformative journey of birthing your very own shamanic drum during our immersive two-day workshop. In sacred space, we will embark on a profound process that not only brings forth a physical instrument but also nurtures a deep spiritual connection with the drum and its ancient lineage.The first day of our workshop sets the stage for the sacred journey ahead. We begin by creating a nurturing environment, where participants can connect with one another and the materials that will become their drums. Through guided meditations and rituals, we align ourselves with the spirit of the drum, inviting its wisdom and energy to guide us throughout the process.Each participant will infuse their drum frame with their unique purpose, dreams, and intentions. We explore the significance of different materials, including the wood from which the frame is made and the medicine of the kangaroo from which we make the frame head.
What is Shamanic Drum Making?
The process of making your drum is reflective of your own birth story, the births of your children (if you have any) and how you do “process” in your life both creatively and in relationship to Other.
Birthing a drum becomes a ‘way in’ to your inner workings – a way for you to be present with the imprinting from your own birth and early childhood.
By approaching the process with awareness and consciousness, you not only make yourself a personalised shamanic tool, you also have a shamanic experience connecting with the animal of the hide you are using and the wood of the frame.
Healing Through Shamanic Drum Making
Drumming can be for healing (it actually boosts your immune system), for prayer, for calming, and for inducing altered states of consciousness for the purpose of shamanic journeying.
Using the drum during the labour of childbirth helps reduce the intensity of contractions – the vibration of dissipating pain and offering the woman a focal point that enables her to access an altered state of consciousness.
A Lifelong Companion
Birthing a shamanic drum is a profound and transformative experience that extends far beyond the workshop itself. The drum you create becomes a lifelong companion, a conduit for healing, journeying, and connection with the spiritual realms. It is a vessel for your intentions and a guide on your path of personal growth and exploration.
Throughout this two-day workshop, we will provide not only the guidance and technical expertise needed to craft your drum but also a nurturing space for personal reflection, sharing, and growth. As you birth your shamanic drum, you will forge a deep connection with the spirit of the instrument and join a lineage of drummers spanning across cultures and time.
Join us on this extraordinary journey of creation and connection. Together, we will birth shamanic drums that carry the heartbeat of the earth, the wisdom of the ancients, and the transformative power of our intention.
Over the course of 2 days, you will be sitting in ceremony where you will deepen your connection to self, the wisdom of your menstrual cycle (if you have one), moon cycles as well as the seasonal cycles.
In shamanic traditions, the drum is used to call the spirits and to facilitate the transition of the shaman, via a trance state, to the other realms for the purpose of mediation and healing. Often referred to as the Shaman’s Horse, the drum and its beat are what the shaman “rides” between the physical and spiritual worlds when she is journeying.
Within “The Shamanic Drum – A Guide To Sacred Drumming”, Michael Drake describes the different beat patterns of the drum and their effects and explains how drumming synchronises the hemispheres of the brain, resulting in a sense of balance that creates the knowing of what to do (next).
What Others Have to Say about the Experience of Birthing their Drum
“A deeply transformative process (as all births are) and reflective of my own birth story and the births of my children. I laughed, l cried, l held space for others… struggled with anger, fear, and self doubt during the transition. I really leant into those spaces and sharp edges and came away today with a deeper knowledge and a deeper knowing of myself…..and a beautiful drum!”
“This process beautifully mimicked each of my birth experiences! From my birth through to my 2 boys! It was a journey but one with so much love, pride and excitement!”
Facilitators
Katherine Knott
A naturopath, herbalist, shamanic womancrafter, and mother to her 4 crazy wildings who are her greatest teachers. Katherine has always been drawn to the inner stories that a person weaves from the moment of conception until the present time and how that impact who and how they are in the world. She intertwines the medicine of her drum throughout clinical practice as a naturopath as well as whilst facilitating regular full moon circles.
Nicki Stewart
A grass roots herbalist, naturopath, and mumma to 3 amazing children, Nicki has always been drawn to energetic medicine/healing, especially drum medicine. Birthed her first drum 13 years ago, just after the birth of her first daughter, she found out it was both a powerful and life-changing experience. She works with her drum both in clinic and with her family; to raise the body’s vital force to assist in healing and supporting wellbeing. Completed a mentoring program for young girls called ‘Journey of Young Women’ created by the amazing Katherine Krueger, she has been facilitating maiden circles on her country property for a number of years.
Event Details
When:
Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30am – 4:00pm, 2024 Dates
We just had our last drum making workshop for 2023. No two drums are ever alike, each as individual as the person who birthed it. It’s such an honour to witness and journey with you as you weave new new ways of being in the world and infuse that medicine into the drum so that each time it is played that medicine ripples out into the world. Many of you contacted me to ask about the dates for 2024. See you in our workshops in the coming months!
- February 10th and 11th
- May 18th and 19th
- September 28 and 29th
- November 16th and 17th
Where:
Taradale, Victoria Dja Dja Wurrung land
You are welcome to camp on the property overnight on the Saturday – BYO camping gear.
Cost:
$799
Payment includes materials needed to make your drum, as well as morning and afternoon tea on both days.
What To Bring:
2 towels (to lay your drum on whilst it is being birthed/made)
scissors strong enough to cut through hide
pillow case to take your drum home in
a journal and a pen
What is the story of your own birth?
(particularly regarding situation for your mother during your pregnancy: weeks of gestation at birth, breech? twins? premature labour?)
How did labour start: Induction? Natural? Drugs in labour? Length of labour?
What is the way of birth: Forceps? Vacuum? Normal vaginal? Caesarean?
What are the stories of you giving birth?
The stories with your babies (all pregnancy’s result in a birth including abortions, miscarriages, etc.) and if there have been no pregnancies, then what are the stories of you birthing/creating? You can name projects at work, business, craft, new versions of yourself, and the likes.
We work with NDIS Clients, please contact us for more information
PAYMENT OPTIONS
We offer payment options for our Shamanic Drum Making Workshop:
Option 1 – Pay a One-Time Payment for $799. 
Or,
Option 2 – Payment Plan: 4 payments of $220 every 2 weeks starting from first payment.
OR, if you would prefer to pay via bank transfer,
Please make full payment and email info@acornoak.com.au with your name and phone number:
Katherine Knott
BSB 083495
Account Number 619642939
Once payment has been received, you will receive an email with more details.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is shamanic drum making? Shamanic drum making is a sacred process of crafting a drum, rooted in spiritual and indigenous traditions. It involves selecting materials, such as a wooden frame and animal hide drumhead, and assembling them with intention and reverence to create a powerful instrument.
- What is the significance of a shamanic drum in spiritual practices? Shamanic drums have been used for centuries in spiritual practices around the world. They serve as a tool for healing, journeying, and connecting with the spirit realm. The rhythmic beats of the drum can alter consciousness, induce trance states, and facilitate communication with the unseen world.
- How does making my own drum connect me to the spirit of the drum? By participating in the creation of your own drum, you forge a deep personal connection with the instrument. As you invest your energy, intention, and creativity into the process, the drum becomes an extension of yourself, carrying your unique essence and connecting you to the spirit of the drum.
- What materials are typically used to make a shamanic drum? Traditional shamanic drums are made using a wooden frame, often in a circular shape, and a drumhead made from animal hide, such as deer, elk, or buffalo. The type of hide chosen can impact the sound and energy of the drum.
- Do I need any prior experience or specific skills to participate in the workshop? No prior experience is necessary to participate in a shamanic drum making workshop. We will guide you through each step of the process, providing instruction, support, and encouragement along the way.
- How long does it take to make a shamanic drum? The time required to make a shamanic drum can vary depending on the complexity of the design and the specific techniques involved. Everyone who comes to the workshop makes and leaves with a fully completed drum.
- What is the significance of the drum frame and drum head? The drum frame represents the sacred circle, symbolizing unity, wholeness, and the cyclical nature of life. The drumhead, made from animal hide, carries the essence and spirit of the animal, connecting us to the natural world and its wisdom.
- Will I learn how to play the drum during the workshop? The primary focus of the workshop is on creating the drum, we offer seasonal events where we spend time together drumming and signing.
- Are there any special considerations or care instructions for maintaining my shamanic drum? Shamanic drums require proper care and maintenance to ensure their longevity. Specific care instructions will be provided during the workshop, including guidance on storage, humidity control, and conditioning the drumhead.
- How does the act of making my own drum enhance the connection to the spirit world? The act of making your own drum is a deeply personal and intentional process. It strengthens your energetic connection to the drum and enhances your ability to communicate with the spirit world, fostering a deeper connection to the realms of spirit and consciousness.
- Can I use my shamanic drum for personal healing or ceremonial purposes? Absolutely! Your shamanic drum can be used for personal healing practices, meditation, shamanic journeying, and ceremonial purposes. It becomes a powerful tool for accessing altered states of consciousness, facilitating healing, and connecting with spiritual guidance.
- Will there be any additional resources or guidance provided after the workshop? Many workshops provide additional resources, such as written instructions or references, to support participants after the workshop. These resources may include guidance on drum care, playing techniques, and further exploration of shamanic practices.
- Can I join the workshop if I don’t consider myself a shaman or a spiritual practitioner? Yes, shamanic drum making workshops are open to everyone of evert gender. The process of creating a shamanic drum is a deeply personal journey that can be embraced by anyone seeking a connection to nature, self-expression, or an exploration of spiritual practices.
- Are there any age restrictions or recommendations for participants in the workshop? These workshops are designed for people over 18. We are working on creating a workshop for children, we hope to release dates for this soon.
