In the shamanic tradition, the drum is probably one of the shaman’s most important tools. It’s thanks to its sound and repetitive rhythm that the shaman enters an ecstatic trance and travels between worlds.
The essentials
- The drum’s repetitive rhythm helps you enter a trance and travel.
- In Siberia, it’s the “shamanic horse”; for the Mongols, the “black deer.”
- According to legend, the first drum was born from a branch of the World Tree.
- For Native Americans, its sound is the heartbeat of Mother Earth.
- It anchors the physical body so the spirit can travel without getting lost.
The drum, the shaman’s mount
In Siberia, the drum is compared to a mount—the “shamanic horse”—or, for the Mongols, the “black deer,” which carries the shaman between worlds. It’s also called the “singing bow,” thanks to which the shaman rises to the sky like an arrow. In North Africa, it’s compared to the boat that crosses the Great River leading to the invisible worlds.
Corine Sombrun, a French shaman initiated in Mongolia, says that a “shaman on foot,” who uses the jaw harp, would always be less powerful than a “shaman on horseback,” with a drum into which the spirits have agreed to descend.
The legend of the World Tree
A legend tells that the first shaman’s drum was made from a branch of the World Tree, which grows at the center of the Earth. This branch fell according to divine will, and the shaman made the drum’s body from it.
The World Tree is the axis of the world, the link between the sky, the earth, and the other spheres. It’s what allows the shaman to move between the spheres of existence during their journeys. To take the shaman’s drum away is to take away their power.
The heartbeat of Mother Earth
In North America, the Native American shaman compares the sound of the drum to the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Beating and listening to the drum deeply anchors the physical body, allowing the spirit to fly through subtle worlds without ever getting lost. That’s why it’s at the heart of the shamanic journey.
My first drum
Listening to drum recordings is awesome, but I couldn’t resist buying my first drum while I wait until I can make one myself. I love using it; my neighbors, not so much. I can’t wait to go sit under a beautiful tree in the forest, close my eyes, beat the drum, and travel.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the drum used in shamanism?
Its repetitive rhythm helps you enter an ecstatic trance while anchoring the physical body, so the spirit can travel between worlds without getting lost.
Can you travel with a drum recording?
Yes. With good headphones and an audio track, you can absolutely travel. I explain it in my article on urban shamanism.
What about you—have you ever listened to or played a shamanic drum? The drum’s sound is also a cousin of the handpan’s: check out what a handpan is.
If this topic resonates with you, discover the Soul Sanctuary retreat, a week blending handpan, shamanic practices, presence, and introspection.
We are One. One love.
