Ebook: When the Drummers were Women: A spiritual history of rhythm

In this long-awaited, lavishly illustrated book, drummer Layne Redmond presents an empowering narrative history of the sacred drum in the ancient Goddess civilization, using her extensive collection of images gathered during more than five years of research and travel in the Mideast and Europe. 80 photos & drawings.

"By searching out the lost, early history of the frame drum, Layne Redmond bas uncovered an important missing chapter in the history of bumanity—a chapter in which goddesses ruled beside gods and in which womens spirituality, wisdom, and sexuality were affirmed through rituals involving drumming. In an age where people are rediscovering the communal and healing powers of rbythm, WHEN THE DRUMMERS WERE WOMEN establishes the link between ancient knowledge and the contemporary empbasis on the importance of passion and soulfulness to life." (RICK MATTINGLY, editor, Percussive Notes magazine)

"As a scholar Redmond traces the history of the frame drum from its former exalted position, through its centuries of suppression, down to its current intense revival, as a virtuoso performer she speaks with authority on the drums real and read- ily accessible powers. Women reading this book will want to jump up and start playing Layne Redmond's drum, men will get a valuable lesson in what they bave been missing these past 5000 years or so." (JOHN ANTHONY WEST, author of Serpent in the Sky)