As Jamaica observes International Peace Day today (September 21), under the locally adopted theme ‘End Violence. Build Peace’, the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA) and several partners will be seeking to commemorate the day by engaging in the arts – in particular, drumming.

VPA Chair Dr Elizabeth Ward said drumming is therapeutic, with research showing that drumming circles are supportive in easing anxiety, promoting relaxation and reducing levels of burnout experience.

“On Wednesday, September 21, we ask communities that are in possession of drums to form drumming circles and have a discussion on what peace means to you while playing a rhythm of your selection,” Ward urged.

“For spaces without drums, feel free to be ‘creative’ and use other instruments to facilitate sharing amongst themselves in peace building processes. Opt do so in a time suitable for facilitation, be it during a lunch break, or during an after-work session.”

AKOMBO TO HAVE DRUMMING DISCUSSIONS WITH SCHOOL POPULATION

The VPA has also invited Professor David Akombo, dean of the Faculty of Culture, Creative and Performing Arts at the University of the West Indies Campus, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, to participate in drumming activities and talks organised by the Alliance in commemoration of the day.

Akombo is an internationally acclaimed speaker and recognised educator, researcher and scholar in the fields of music education and interdisciplinary research in the arts and health.

While in Jamaica, he will be a guest speaker at Kingston High School and Windward Road Primary School where he will have discussions with the school population on the importance of drumming. This will be followed by live interaction of drumming with the schools’ drummers.

In the meantime, drumming circles are being organised in children’s homes supervised by the Child Protection and Family Service Agency; the Bustamante Hospital for Children and inner-city communities such as Rose Town.

Ward said the VPA welcomes the submission of video entries of these pieces from the drumming circles.

She also encouraged stakeholders to record these sessions and share with the VPA at [email protected], or send a message to +1876-466-3943 and upload videos here.

“These will be reposted on our respective social media pages, and also included in a video production afterwards,” she said.