Politics and Beliefs in Drumming

[jorge]

I think it is possible to perform at events where you don't share the politics or religious beliefs of the majority at the event. Sometimes you can contribute a diversity to the event that can open up others' minds a little, and make a contribution in that way. A few years ago, my rumba group had a couple of members who were Black Muslims and we got a gig playing at a meeting of the American Muslim Community where Wallace D. Muhammad (ibae), son of Elijah Muhammad, came from Chicago to speak. It turned out to be an important event in which he announced he was stepping down as leader, but I and others in our group had major disagreements with some of the religious and political parts of his speech. To be fair, I also liked some of his message, one of his lifetime accomplishments was to turn against his father's teachings and begin to accept White and Latino people into the American Muslim Community. Although I am not a Muslim, I do have a deep respect for people who break down racist barriers at great personal risk to themselves. Many of the people at the event, devout Muslims, also did not fully accept rumba as an art form. Out of respect for their religion, we did not bring our dancers because we thought that rumba might be offensive to the Muslims who strongly believe in women covering themselves. Even so, people really liked our playing and after the event, WD Muhammad told one of us, who was a member of the American Muslim Community, that we were the best drummers he had ever heard. I think they saw the universality of our message, which transcended both the religion and the politics. That was more important than all the political and religious discussions we could have had with them. As Bobi Cespedes has sung, "Yo digo que la cancion resulta mas que la guerra." The song is mightier than the sword (rough translation). So without accepting what we did not agree with about their religion and politics, we were able to make contact anyway and get our message across. After all, we are musicians not politicians.

[RitmoBoricua]

Music, rhythm you know drums they have a universal language. I call it "Common Ground".

[pcastag]

He didn't understand and got very angry.

Thanks, goingquinto: This statement sums up best the mental condition of all those people who are hindering spiritual evolution and bringing hell to Earth eventually, no matter what religion, political attitude or ideology they follow.

However, each religion, political party, etc. has as well practitioners who represent high moral and humanistic values; people who try to be as positive and ethical as their respective system was intended to be.

I agree completely with what Abakua recommended.

Once I discussed the subject of this thread with a fellow musician, when an American woman who had overheard our conversation joined in and insisted that everybody would just do any job if it was only paid well enough. I objected, feeling that there are certain limits beyond monetary compensation; but I also remembered that I had already played two gigs that I would have rejected, if my economical situation had allowed it: There are quite a few organisations in our society that are formally legal but nevertheless unethical (in my view).

It was about 20 years ago that I was booked for a gig at the Buchmesse (book fair) in Frankfurt, some 500 km south from my town. When the band finally arrived for the soundcheck, it turned out to be a gig for the Scientology sect, an organisation that I would personally never support with my music. But we had travelled for 5 hours with 7 or 8 people who needed the money (which was fairly decent), and our bandleader, an American trombone player, swore that he had not known for whom we were supposed to play. To make the story short: We played the goddam gig.

Generally I'm trying to avoid situations like this. And I know I have already dispensed with a lot of money and prestige by turning down gigs that were not clean.

Thomas

That trombone player wouldn't have been Joe Gallardo would it?

[Thomas Altmann]

That trombone player wouldn't have been Joe Gallardo would it?

Oh no!!

TA

[niallgregory]

NG I appreciate what you're saying, as for "missing out" I don't feel that I'm missing out on anything.
I have an infinite number of things to listen to and learn from from, whether it's Brazil, Cuba, Jazz, funk, Gospel, etc.
Pandeiro alone is a lifetime of study.
One cannot devote himself to every single thing, so we make choices.

As for Santeria, one cannot thoroughly study our instrument without understanding it's roots.
I've studied Santeria enough to know that it is diametrically opposed to my Christian faith, enough said.
I won't make some shallow cheap-shot like some here have about Christianity - which they probably know nothing about.
I enjoy rumba and am supportive of all congueros.
Thanks to all those that have been tolerant in this thread.

Regarding music, I could say to someone, "unless you listen to (and absorb, learn) American Black Gospel music - you are missing out."
Or what about classical music, bluegrass, or zydeco, R&B....
One cannot devote himself to every single thing, so we make choices.
Flames on one set of drums... furniture finish on another... dents and scratches on another set... fiberglass... almas... it's all good!

Hi congamyk,

Good post ! Again i fully appreciate your standpoint .I come from one of the most Christian countries on Earth , well it likes to think it is anyway . My view on it is that most if not all afro cuban , afro brazilian music is heavily influenced by the religion of the slaves . Some in some way santeria , palo , candomble and umbanda is having an influence on your music either way . We cant play the pandeiro and forgot where its rhythm comes from i.e cabula and samba de caboclo , we cant play samba batucada or samba reggae without forgetting its roots in afro brazilian religions . Had a great conversation on mon with Mestre Mario pam from the great group ile aiye in salvador de bahia in Brazil . He made a point about there being right wing christian groups in bahia playing samba reggae who are extremely opposed to the candomble . He was just pointing out the double standard of it all . Again i respect you choice not play the bata etc but do you play any percussion with religious roots at all ? Would be very hard not to i imagine . Cheers . Niall ..

[DJBakan]

Observe, Respect & Enjoy.
The religious side is touchy, you are required to have understanding of how it all works and what it means, what its origins/intention is (reference to Bata etc), why is it being played etc.
As long as its done with respect and understanding of it without blasphemising and distortion then its fine.

I want to first thank all of that share your thoughts respectfully in this touchy subject.
I am agree with ABAKUA, I think if it is done with respect and understanding the roots and traditions, it should be fine.

One of the reason I started this post is because I am starting to learn Batas and learning songs with these guys that I do not really know if the are initiated but they do it with much knowledge, respect and understanding.

When i tell some people about it I get different reactions and looks so I wanted to share this with you to see what you guys think.
So far it is great and I hope to continue learning these rhythms and culture so I can improve as a percussionist and as a human being in general.


DJBakan

[alabubba]

As I read this thread, the words " thoughtfulness and respect" kept coming to the front of my mind. For me, there is almost a blur that either runs between or ties together art, music, and spirituality, as if they are maybe different branches of the same tree. Personally, I could never put anyone down for their music. I would be alright with learning and playing drums from any and every tradition, just so long as I can make the commitment to do this in a manner respectful of such tradition. I am confident that my spirit, such as it is, becomes stronger rather than damaged by being exposed to this world's drumming traditions.

[onile]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

[onile]

Awwwww Maaaaaaaan!
Keepin' da Peace!

[onile]

I'm just going thru life filling my spiritual shopping cart. A little bit of JWs, a bit of Cath., sprinkle in some Bapt., and some Pent. as well as, well you get the point. I look at it this way, you take 7, 10 or 23 people, put them all in the same room with a painting (a painting of anything), then take them each into an individual room and ask them to describe what they just saw and there is a very strong probability that you will get just as many different descriptions. Even though they ALL saw the same painting, their INDIVIDUAL experience with it is what guides their description. Hence, the many sides of our CREATOR _____________(fill in your preference for reference). Be comforted in the knowledge that you are practicing worship in the most appropriate way given your life's circumstances and your upbringing. There is nothing wrong with it, just remember the ultimate goal in this life should more than likely be to propagate peace in every action, whenever possible, but be prepared to unsheathe your sword of justice in his/her name when necessary. Life is based on dualities, this is just one of them.......

Again, this is MY view, and MY approach to life as I live it. Not everyone will share this viewpoint, and I'm fine with it, no convergence is intended, nor insult or name calling implied. I'm sure you all have established peace with the CREATOR in you own way, and to that I say bless each and everyone of you! Ashe! Nslala Malecum! Alafia Abures Mi! Que Papa Dios Les Bendiga, May God Bless You, May the Energy that comprises your Being, continue to do so until it is time for you to return it to the universe, so on, and so on.....and with that........I continue on my way with my shopping cart that only I can see.......

Peace and Love to all (whenever possible)

[jorge]

What happened to the posts from yesterday, June 16? They seem to have disappeared.

[ABAKUA]

What happened to the posts from yesterday, June 16? They seem to have disappeared.

Laundry day. Dirty laundry got cleaned up.
Thread degraded for mulitple reasons & posts.
No place for it on the forum. Differences were resolved or set aside, any further pls keep it to PM & off the public forum. Thread back on track now after derailment.

You agree that “congaplace.com” have the right to remove, edit, move or close any topic at any time should we see fit.

[GuruPimpi]

Hello!

Yes, lesson revived after some years. This is a percussion forum, not a political forum... I was waiting for something like that to happen few days ago...

I had some personal issues with that principle as a forum member few years ago, but not cause I would feel the need to express myself in a political way, but because we connect here on the forum and normal and natural thing of communication is to talk and get to know each others points of view, enviroment and culture further and further. Things around us are happening independently and we like to share and question many things, so we feel the need to express and discover with others...

But as moderators here are tough; keep it percussionistic!

To me a bit hard core, but hey this ain't my forum and I still enjoy it a lot! Mainly as a reader

Take care guys and I wish we talk further and further, some day without feelings of off-topicness and censorship.
''May The Scwartz be with you!'' from Mel Brooks' SpaceBalls

PimpS