Hey there Spirit Friends! Are any of you familiar with that word above? I wasn’t really until learning a little more last week. I recently attended a yoga class where there was drumming reflective of the Rustafarian people called Nyabinghi. It’s similar to reggae music brought to life in Jamiaca. Think Bob Marley who was a Rustafarian. This type of music played at the class was African and totally captured our poses while blending in with the instructor’s voice. I find in fascinating learning about other cultures or groups of people throughout history. I hope you do too.

After researching much about this music, peoples, traditions, and so forth, I just had to identify in many ways to a powerful warrior woman who wanted control over her people. Her name was Queen Nyabinghi and the area is now known as Uganda in Africa. Her husband the King had her killed and her spirit lived on ( which all of ours do.) The story does sound extreme but women respected what she was doing and wanted that connection in any way they could find it after her passing. The tribeswomen wanted to help cease tyranny and oppression and fought for social change back in the late 19th century. Some even believed that Nyabinghi herself reincarnated thru them in order to keep her spirit and beliefs alive. One such woman was named Muhumuza and she became a warrior fighting for her clan.  This enabled her and others in power to overthrow the dictatorship held and gain the support of other women as a following.

It is such an interesting read as the story and legends continue on… The drumming is actually held on certain holidays and dance rituals can also become incorporated. It is all part of African history and their belief systems.  I love how the drumming took its name from the warrior queen as I echo some of her passions and fighting spirit. No one wants to be oppressed and any person who inspires YOU is reason to learn and become motivated. It doesn’t have to be physical oppression like it was for her women of that time but feeling trapped in any part of your life where you feel the need for CHANGE. They believe there is that God force in each and everyone of us that truly lives. Do you believe this too? Regardless of how this person can actually “look” to you based on race, creed, color, and many other factors~~~ that force is in you igniting your own passions to live life fully and fight for what you stand for.

My first real reason in attending this class was just to experience a different sound sensation unlike the others I have listened to prior. I have been part of gongs, tuning forks, bells, crystal bowls, and a few others but never drums. The class I had signed up got cancelled once so I am grateful to finally have had another opportunity this time. I blogged about a few of those others but this was different. It wasn’t just drums in the background but a culture, history, and tradition rich in story. The man playing even looked the part with his long hair in dreads and the colors of his Native drum being red, yellow, and green. There is some confusion as the actual colors were red, green, black, and gold. They were all chosen for a specific purpose along with the types of drums used.  I was so honored to be part of that class which was practiced outside under the beautiful setting sun.

Have you ever participated in something similar that made you want to learn more? Even if you disagree with any of the beliefs, just become open to knowing~ that’s all. I looked up what I wanted to know and now feel a little more cultured with this music, its people, and of course the warrior Queen herself– Nyabinghi. For me personally, I rarely seem to go one day without hearing the word warrior or seeing it in some way. For anyone new or needing a reminder~ my book Spirit and Belief  is all about that word warrior and my spiritual relationship with the former pro wrestler The Ultimate Warrior. So, I truly believe I was meant to attend that class without having any prior knowledge of this word being such a part of her story. Sometimes, I can guess but most times it all just seems to line up synchronistically for me (:

I thank Nyabinghi, her warrior women, their ancestry, their beliefs, and fighting for equality that all of us should do any chance we get. I thank the yoga studio for allowing this class, the instructor, the owner, the participants, and of course the drummer who kept me wanting more. Music has always been part of my soul too as I make it part of my life with many aspects. Do what fits your life friends and life will come to you in beautiful ways. I am so glad to have found out about this Native type of drumming and its significance with African culture. I will honor Queen Nyabinghi for her warrior ways as I fight for my beliefs always!

~~~P.S. Please share with anyone wanting to learn more about this type of music and its culture! You can find me also on twitter, youtube, and pinterest (:

~~~ Next week, I will be doing double-duty on both blogs with worthiness. Do you feel worthy? Guess what friends~~ You should and you ARE! Stay tuned and stay true to find out more!!!

Here is the link to my other site on the Ultimate Warrior:

http://www.mywarriorwritings.com