The Healing Power of the Drum

I enjoy working with a variety of sound healing instruments, but the drum holds a special place in my heart. This is likely because it has contributed to my own healing quite a bit! As one of the oldest instruments in the world, I believe the vibrations of the drum have the power to simultaneously transport us back in time to connect with (some of) the practices of our ancestors and to move us forward in time as we work to achieve our own growth and evolution.

Whether you prefer a synthetic hide drum or an animal hide drum, there is something profoundly magical about this simple instrument.

The Ancient Roots of Drumming

Archaeological evidence suggests drums have been part of human culture for at least 8,000 years. From hollowed logs to stretched animal hides, our ancestors found ways to create percussive instruments that could be heard across great distances, communicate messages, and establish rhythms that synced communities together.

What makes drums so universal is their fundamental simplicity coupled with infinite complexity. At their core, drums transform physical action (striking the hide) into sound waves that we not only hear but feel throughout our bodies. This visceral quality helps explain why drums have been central to healing practices across diverse cultures.

Drums as Healing Instruments

The healing applications of drums span multiple dimensions:

Physiological: Studies have shown that drumming can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, boost immune system function, and release endorphins. The rhythmic nature of drumming can help synchronize neural activity and promote hemispheric balance in the brain.
Psychological: Drum therapy has proven effective for addressing issues ranging from stress and anxiety to more complex trauma processing. The meditative aspects of rhythmic drumming can induce states of focused awareness that allow for emotional release.
Social: Community drum circles create spaces for connection and belonging. In therapeutic settings, group drumming breaks down social barriers and creates shared experiences that foster mutual understanding. (This I have seen in action during my own drumming circles and it's amazing!)

Spiritual: Many traditions use drums to alter consciousness, facilitate spiritual journeys, or connect with ancestral wisdom. The drum's ability to produce entrainment—where brainwaves synchronize with external rhythms—makes it a powerful tool for spiritual practices.

Scandinavian Drumming Traditions

The drum holds particular significance in Scandinavian culture, especially within Sámi traditions (the indigenous people of northern Scandinavia). I have no formal training of Sámi traditions, however, as the Sámi people shared a peninsula with the Norse populations for thousands of years, it's not a massive leap to conclude that their practices had an influence on our Northern ancestors. According to my research:

The Sámi Drum (Goavddis)

The most iconic drum from Scandinavian culture is the Sámi shamanic drum, known as goavddis (bowl drum) in Northern Sámi language. These drums were typically made from pine, spruce, or birch wood, with reindeer hide stretched across one side. What makes these drums particularly remarkable is their elaborate decoration:

The drum face was painted with symbols representing the cosmos, deities, natural elements, and important animals like reindeer.
These symbols were organized into different levels, often depicting the underworld, middle world, and upper world.
The noaidi (Sámi shamans) would use the drum as a map for spiritual journeys and divination.

During the Christian conversion of Scandinavia, many of these sacred drums were confiscated or destroyed—only about 70 authentic Sámi drums remain in museums today.

The Norse Tradition

While less documented than Sámi practices, drums also appeared in Norse traditions:

Archaeological findings suggest frame drums were used in Norse ceremonies.
Drums accompanied seiðr (Norse magic and shamanic practices).
Battle drums were used to coordinate Viking warriors and instill fear in opponents.

Modern Revival and Sound Healing

Today, drum traditions are experiencing a revival in Scandinavian countries and around the world:

Drumming Patterns: Modern Nordic folk music incorporates traditional drumming patterns.
Drum-Making Workshops: Cultural centers in Sweden, Norway, and Finland often host drum-making workshops to preserve these ancient techniques. Such workshops take place in the United States as well.
Drums in Wellness Programs: Health practitioners throughout Scandinavia have integrated drumming into wellness programs, drawing on both indigenous knowledge and contemporary therapeutic approaches.
Drums in Sound Healing: Drums are excellent tools to use in sound healing sessions to help break up energy, bring in supportive energies, and offer support with grounding. They are also excellent instruments for brainwave entrainment, also known as brainwave synchronization or neural entrainment, which refers to the observation that brainwaves can synchronize with the rhythm of external stimuli.

The Universal Language of Rhythm

What makes drumming so effective as a healing modality is its accessibility. Unlike many instruments, drums invite participation without requiring years of technical training. The body intuitively understands rhythm, as our very existence is marked by the steady beat of our heart.

In our modern world of digital distractions and constant noise, the drum offers something increasingly rare—a return to simplicity, presence, and embodied experience. Whether practiced alone for meditation, in therapy for emotional processing, or in community for connection, drumming provides a direct pathway to states of healing that bypass intellectual barriers.

By embracing this ancient technology in contemporary settings, we reconnect with a lineage of sound healing that spans cultures and epochs. The humble drum, in all its variations, continues to speak a language our bodies inherently understand—the language of vibration, rhythm, and resonance.

As we rediscover these traditions, including the rich legacy of Scandinavian drumming practices, we add our own beat to an unbroken rhythm that has accompanied humanity through its entire journey.

Utilize the Sound of the Drum in Your Practice

If you do not currently have a drum to utilize in your own practice or you simply wish to listen to it for your own spiritual purposes, feel free to use my Shamanic Drumming video (also linked below) featuring my Rune & Yggdrasil frame drum. I hope it aids your practice, whatever your goals are for today.

References:

National Library of Medicine

Sámi Shamanism, Cosmology and Art as Systems of Embedded Knowledge

Science Direct

Shamanism and Culture by Juha Pentikäinen

The Prehistory of Music: Human Evolution, Archaeology, and the Origins of Musicality by Ian Morley

The Saami Shaman Drum by Almqvist & Wiksell

Written by: Laina Pilkenton