article

Dyeing the Skin on the Shaman Drum: A Unique and Creative Craft

The shaman drum, is a fascinating and distinctive handcraft that can be brought to life with a little dedication and know-how. When creating your own drum, you’ll often find yourself in the position of dyeing the drum skin. In Finland, reindeer hide is commonly used for drum skins, while in other parts of the world, leather from cattle, camels, or even deer might be employed.

Continue reading

article

Feasting in Valhalla – A peek into the folk religion of the Vikings

We have all heard of the blood-thirsty Vikings who ransacked many countries, but they also left their mark geopolitically and influenced many cultures and languages. Who were the Vikings and what did they believed in? In this article we will take a peek into the beliefs of the people who ruled the territories of present-day Norway, Sweden and Denmark from about 793-1066 BCE.

Continue reading

article

Rituals and drumming – A peek into folk religions in West Africa

We are all Africans when we trace our DNA back to its roots. Humans originated from Africa about 60,000 years ago. The first religious writings also originate from Africa, as do the earliest monotheistic religions. With the European slave trade, African folk religion spread to the Americas, mixing with Christianity, and becoming characteristic of their regions.

Continue reading