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Team-building behaviour explained through Drum Circle Activity


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Primates, much like humans, navigate their lives within intricate, interconnected societies,

relying on a myriad of communication channels, including olfactory, tactile, visual, and

auditory signals. Sound, a fundamental element in communication, is employed by primates, with macaques, recognised for their intelligence and passionate demeanour, often resorting to tree drumming to convey intimidation to intruders. Similarly, highly intelligent primates like chimpanzees have been observed using primitive drumming sounds to signify both approach and aggression.


Drawing parallels to this primate behavior, humans, too, have a social history steeped in the use of drums to convey emotions. Across various societies worldwide, the presence of war drums is a common thread.

Every community had a particular drum beat pattern often used to express unity and togetherness, which in today's world is cultivated by team-building drum circle activities.

Scientifically, the impact of drum sounds on human senses has been explored, revealing that the resonance of drums prompts bodily movement. Beyond their musical attributes, drums have historically served as tools for communication over great distances, which now a days has become an integral part of corporate team-building drum circles to bring employees together from different walks of life. It has now become a basic team-building activity in many corporate events, team-outings and conferences due to its excellent results in developing corporate wellness and employee harmony in work culture.

African talking drums, for instance, imitate spoken language tone patterns, while in Sri Lankan history, drums have functioned as communication conduits between the state and the community for over 2500 years.
African authentic djembe. Tribal Drum, afro music instrument

As a species, humans have demonstrated an inherent affinity for rhythm, reflected in our proclivity for social gatherings. The drum, acting as a bass instrument, mimics the tone of a human heartbeat—sometimes fast and aggressive, other times slow and gentle—depending on the musician's expression.

Evolutionary musicologist Joseph Jordania suggests this connection is rooted in our need for social communication, from recreating comforting rhythms akin to lullabies to soothing infants.

In their early existence, drums functioned beyond mere musical instruments, actively influencing cultural practices and uniting people through the power of rhythm and sound. The evolution of these basic percussive tools is intriguing, laying the foundation for the diverse drumming techniques we appreciate in contemporary times.


Healing drum circle activity as a communication tool in team building!


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Recent research sheds light on the therapeutic benefits of drumming, indicating accelerated physical healing, enhanced immune system function, and assistance in releasing emotional trauma. As music has accompanied human communication since our ancestors first communicated, the love for a good beat endures, marking the drum's integral role in our shared history and the diverse ways it resonates within our social, emotional, and physical experiences.

We can say that, drums functioned beyond mere musical instruments, actively influencing cultural practices and uniting people through the power of rhythm and sound.


The evolution of these basic percussive tools is intriguing, laying the foundation for the diverse drumming techniques we appreciate in contemporary times.

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