Drumming Retreat

From Africa to Colombia

May 2025.

Join us for an immersive drumming retreat exploring the profound legacy of African rhythms and their evolution in Colombia.

This retreat is designed to deepen your connection to rhythm, culture, and the healing power of drumming.

Friday (May 16, 2025)

• 12:00 PM – Opening Sweat Lodge Ceremony & Heartbeat Medicine
  Our retreat begins with a spiritual ritual, the Sweat Lodge Ceremony, to open the weekend by connecting with the elements and the heartbeat of the Earth. The Sweat Lodge is a sacred space for deep prayer, where we learn to embrace silence to reconnect with our inner rhythm. Through this process, you will discover your heartbeat—an essential foundation for the journey ahead.

  The first lesson will focus on connecting with your heartbeat and your drum. This sets the stage for what we call Shamanic Drumming. We will explore meditation and visualization techniques to deepen our practice. Additionally, we will introduce the different types of drums used in ceremonies, discussing their qualities and spiritual significance.

  What to Bring: Please bring your own shamanic drum for this session. If you need to rent one, let us know in advance. Drum rental is available for £50 for the entire retreat. There is also an option to craft your own drum, but this is part of a separate ceremony.

• Dinner

• Drumming Legacy Talk – Important facts and introduction to the course.

Saturday (May 17, 2025)

• 8:00 AM – Stretching & Breakfast

• 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM – Drumming Class – On this day, we will focus on teaching drumming techniques and practice methods. We will introduce students to the Afro-Colombian rhythms, starting with Cumbia, a slow, hypnotic rhythm that carries deep cultural roots. From there, we will move into the Mapalé, an energetic and fiery rhythm, and explore additional beats from the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Colombia. This session will serve as an introduction to the richness and diversity of Afro-Colombian drumming traditions.

• 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM – Lunch Break

• 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM – Drumming Tuition – Continued exploration and practice of various rhythms.

• Dinner

• Jamming Session & Special Guest Performance (until 10:00 PM)

Sunday (May 18, 2025).

• 8:00 AM – Early Stretching & Breakfast

• 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM – Group Practice & One-on-One Tuition
  Sunday is dedicated to group practice and one-on-one tuition with the tutor. Students will have the opportunity to practice as a group, gaining valuable experience in collective drumming. Additionally, each participant will receive individualized lessons, where the tutor will provide personal guidance and advice on how to best continue their learning journey beyond the retreat.

• 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM – Additional Drumming Tuition

• Dinner

• 6:00 PM – Closing Cacao Ceremony.

Pricing & Accommodation

• Retreat Price: £350 (Includes food and camping)

• Glamping Option: Additional £150 for the whole retreat

• Deposit: 50% required to secure your spot (non-refundable)

Non-Refundable Deposit Policy

The 50% deposit secures your place in the retreat and is non-refundable. This policy ensures we can cover essential costs such as venue, meals, and instructor fees. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your spot to another participant.

Join us for a transformative experience of rhythm, connection, and cultural exploration! Secure your place today.