VPA explores drumming as a violence interrupter

With violence becoming a pronounced anomaly in the Jamaican society, organisations such as the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA) have been working to find solutions to combat the scourge.

This year, the VPA and its partners will be seeking to commemorate International Day of Peace today by engaging in the arts – in particular, drumming. Dr Elizabeth Ward, chair of the VPA, said drumming is a therapeutic art form, based on rsearch which shows that drumming circles are supportive in easing anxiety, promoting relaxation, and reducing levels of burnout experience.

“On Wednesday, September 21, we ask communities that are in possession of drums to form drumming circles and have a discussion on what peace means to you, while playing a rhythm of your selection. For spaces without drums, feel free to be ‘creative’ and use other instruments to facilitate sharing amongst themselves in peace-building processes. Opt do so in a time suitable for facilitation, be it during a lunch break, or during an after-work session,” Ward urged.

The VPA has also invited Professor David Akombo, dean of the Faculty of Culture, Creative and Performing Arts at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus in Barbados, to participate in the drumming activities and talks organised by the VPA in commemoration of the day.

Akombo is an internationally acclaimed speaker and recognised educator, researcher and scholar in the fields of music education and interdisciplinary research in the arts and health.

While in Jamaica, he will be a guest speaker at Kingston High School and Windward Road Primary School, where he will engage in discussion with the school population on the importance of drumming. This will be followed by a live drumming performance involving the schools’ drummers.

Meanwhile, drumming circles are being organised in children’s homes supervised by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency; the Bustamante Hospital for Children, and inner-city communities such as Rose Town.

Ward said that the VPA welcomes the submission of video entries from the drumming circles. “We are also encouraging our stakeholders to record these sessions and share with the VPA at vpajamaica@gmail.com, or a message to +1876-466-3943 and upload videos to the following link, https://forms.gle/Ag4xogau3kNiwMVK9.

These will be reposted on the VPA’s social media pages, as well as a video production afterwards,” she said.

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