ANDICHA n' de WENDAT The womens drummers of Wendake

Chief drum

The chief drum is a sacred instrument that until recently could only be played by men.

The chief drum is made of moose skin.  This large instrument is also called group drum.  It was traditionally the exclusive privilege of native men, whether of the Wendat, Innu, Attikamek or Cree cultures.

The chief drum represents the beat of the heart of Mother Earth. Through it, the heart of the animal and the heart of the Nation beat together as one. The chief drum is a sacred object. It is handled with deference during healing ceremonies, to accompany incantatory songs that precede collective hunts, or also during pow-wows.

Huron women

The group of drums of the Huron women of Wendake is made out of three Huron women and one White woman from Wendake.

« We want to promote the Huron women of Wendake and their culture. »

It is for them a matter of taking their own place and not all of the place.  The group works in a healing manner :

« We must let the drum speak and it will release a very powerful energy. »  The sound of the chief drum penetrates the body through the solar plexus. This group of Huron women perform the four hundred traditional Wendat songs which they interpret very traditionally.

One of these songs, Anicouni, is an very well known intertribal song that was written by women.  It was sung when people had to leave their land because of illness or war.

The example of these women’s courage could inspire and influence other Amerindian women to also claim their rightful place.

« The energy that was stagnant begins to flow again. »

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