Sufi Drum Circle

The Frame Drum or the Daf as it is called in Persian, has been very significant in very many Sufi practices. The Frame Drum is being used by Sufi paths as an aid to bring oneself closer to oneself, connect to the heart through the drum beating the heart beat.

Sheikh Kamel explains in 'the Pearl of Sufism', "the heart is our origin and before the brains are created within the foetus, first the heart takes shape. After three weeks the order "Kon" ("Be"), comes and the heart starts beating, it is the joining of the heartbeat of the mother and the heartbeat of the foetus that invites the soul to come into the body. The same method, the invitation of the soul, we apply by playing Daf.

The middle part of the Daf has the same vibration as the heart. 72 is the number of 'Kon', 'Be' and the five segments of the Daf, which represent the hidden, inner senses, form a circle of 360 degrees. The person who holds the Daf holds his/her own heart. All hearts are connected in the central part of the Daf.

On the Daf, the Persian frame drum we play, we see the same division. We can only play on 2 segments; the other 3 await in silence the vibration. The Daf is the symbol of an advanced Sufi. Its round shape is the sign of perfection and the Sufis gather in a circle. The skin is the skin of the master under which the student is protected. The rings are a sign of acceptance and obedience. When the Daf is in silence, this symbolizes patience."

"The Pearl of Sufism" Dr Seyed Azmayesh, Mehraby Publishing House.

This session is not be a teaching or learning session. You don't need to have done any drumming or any percussion before. There is no need to bring any drums we have plenty to share.

There is a £8 (conc.£6) contribution for venue hire.