The Healing Drum: African Wisdom Teachings

Other reviewers have mentioned much of what is laudable about this book. This is mostly a story of a childhood and youth in a highly traditional village in southern Mali, with some information on Yaya Diallo's life in Bamako, the capital, and in Canada. Not much specific information on drumming itself, as this is an autobiography and not a work of ethnomusicology.Particularly intriguing is Diallo's struggle, and his manifold transformations: seen as a fool and a good-for-nothing in his home village when he was a child, he becomes a star student (not without setbacks). Consequently, he settles into a materially satisfying, but spiritually impoverished existence as a chemist in Canada. Finally, in spite of the stridently modernist spirit of the times, which dictated that most elements of African culture be shed and that one's self become completely "Westernized", Diallo returns to drums, the most important and vital aspect of his culture and his individual self. Mocked and destitute for a while, he succeeds in establishing himself as a musician and as an instructor of drumming.There are several problematic points, but I will concentrate upon one. Having grown up in Christian and atheist household within a multiethnic society, in which people of Muslim origin constituted slightly less than half of the population, I am very sensitive to crude generalizations about religions and ethnicities.Diallo is able to perceive that within "animist" African cultures and within Canada and the so-called "West", there is wide range of sensitivities and individual ways to live.Yet, sadly, his view of Islam, which has existed for a thousand years in west Africa, is surprisingly childish and crude. He has no idea (or at least he feigns ignorance) of Sufi brotherhoods and their music and countless ways in which it is possible to be a Muslim and to be an African musician (remember Ali Farka Toure, Oumou Sangare, Youssou N'Dour?). Instead, Diallo claims that Salafi Saudi Islam (incidentally, propagated through generous American financial support in order to combat "communism" since the 1970s) is the only Islam that there is, and that accordingly Islam is bad, bad, bad. This may sound like music to some of his half-educated readers, but it is nonsense, not fit for an elder who has seen the world beyond his village.Had I known of this jarring matter, I would most likely have decided to peruse the book at my alma mater instead of buying it enthusiastically.To end on a kind note: The CD, which has to be bought separately (not expensive), is very pleasant indeed, although the pieces are very short and amount to samples. They are not discussed in the book explicitly, but I was listening to them while reading the book, creating a nice ambiance until the fatal page 190 and its successor.

This was a gift to a daughter who has been drumming for several years and has appreciated learning the background of the musicshe enjoys. She has learned a great deal through it and has shared it with other drummers in her group.

thank you

This book was very excellent in helping to understand our cultural morals and values i learn and gain much insight very glad i made the purchase!

Required reading for Drumming class, it is a very insightful story about a drummer who achieves fame and his experiences with his village.

Everyone should read this!

did so enjoy this book

wonderful!service, quality and price

Very interesting book that goes over the authors life experiences of trying to become involved in true African drumming, healing and spirituality. Has a good accompanying cassette which includes field recordings from his home village in SW Mali which are excellent. Recommended

Great book with many references to traditional spiritual teachings and beliefs. I love his lets all just respect and love each other philosophy.