“The tree birthed the drum so that we and spirit could speak with common tongue.”
E Bonnie Devlin- Huntogi Drum master.

 NIkiah's Red Drum workshops run three times a year so that women interested have the chance both save up, and to plan ahead.{Upcoming dates below-classes are limited to 6 woman per workshop}

If you would like a little more information, you might be interested in the Blog Post Nikiah wrote on her last workshop "Here"

 In many ancient cultures around the world sacred drumming was one of the primary skills that women learned, making their own drums among them.

Because it is my sincere belief that the creation of a sacred item is a very powerful and beautiful exercise, I think that every woman should have the opportunity to learn how to create their own personal tools.

I also believe that regardless of the belief system, each women can create and use a sacred drum made by themselves for their own unique spiritual practice and in doing so deepen both themselves and their spiritual connection.

What the workshop looks like:

During this one and a half day workshop, women will have the chance to focus on the circle of the moon and our connection to it as women while they partake in the ancient custom of drum making.

Women taking the workshop will also learn a little about the history of women using drums from ancient times, hear a sacred story of initiation and power, and have the opportunity to decorate their drum frames and beaters.

Women will also be given information on finding the right beater stick for their drum, which they will need to find before class.

On the First Day: We will explore the lore and mystery that surround women drummers and their spiritual use through out history.

Also during this first day each woman will have a chance to connect with her drum through meditation and learn how to lace her skin onto the frame. During this time Nikiah will weave the ancient tradition of  storytelling while women work on making their drums. 

There will be a one hour pot-luck lunch break, while women wait for their drums to dry, and we will end the last half of the day creating and decorating the drum beaters.

Women will have the chance to take their finished drums home this day.

On the second day: We will gather back together drums in hand, for a short time to share how each woman's drums look and are beginning to sound. Women will have the chance to finish up any decorating they wish to do to their beaters and to add any further decorations to their drums. We will end the day with a special drum ceremony in which everyone will have the chance to initiate and Wake up their drums.

The hoop part of the drum can represent many things, the circle of life, death, and rebirth.
It also represents the Celtic wheel of life, the Medicine wheel, and for us as women the circle of the drum represents the moon and our scared connection to it.

The skin used for these drums is Elk and is hand dyed by Nikiah prior to the workshop using a special mixture of beets, pomegranate juice and herbs.

October 17th and 18, 2011-Time:10:00-4:00 sat and 11:00-2:00 Sun 

Feb TBA, 2012-Time:4:00 sat and 11:00-2:00 Sun 

May TBA 2012-Time:10:00-4:00 Sat and 11:00-2:00 Sun

All workshops will be held in east Vancouver at the Red Moon studio

The cost is $175.00 and can either be paid in full, or in two installments. 

Workshops must be paid in full at least one week before the workshop to ensure your space.

If you are interested in having Nikiah work with a group that you put together yourself, she would be delighted. {The minimum is 4 people and 6 maximum.}

Please contact Nikiah at:lotusbirth@shaw.ca or call 604-782-6679 of you have any questions.

Nikiah first learned drum making in the shamanic tradition while studying with Angela Prider, Reverend Shaman, Shamanic practitioner and teacher.