One Family, One Earth

DVD Review by Dawn Brunke

Grandmother Drum: Awakening the Global Heart ~ DVD ~ Narrator Suraj Holzwarth
(Swenson Media Group and The Rainbow Fire Studios, 2007, $20 ~ see www.whirlingrainbow.com for more)

Seven years in the making, this wonderfully inspiring DVD documents the creation of the Grandmother Drum in Alaska and her emergence on several world-wide tours of healing. Nearly 20 years ago, Suraj Holzwarth was first contacted in her dreams by indigenous grandmother spirits. As the dreams unfolded, Holzwarth was encouraged by the grandmothers to gather support and materials to create a very large drum.

Holzwarth notes that almost all creation myths begin with a sound—be it “the word” or the Big Bang or the spirit of Grandmother Spider, who sings songs over all beings to bring them to life. Grandmother Drum was similarly created with conscious intention: a sound designed to unify hearts and bring together all peoples. Heard and felt as part of an ancient prophecy, the drum-beat made manifest was intended to “transcend all tribes, unite all tribes.”

This DVD provides a fascinating look at how 1500 pounds of Alaskan cedar and birch were gathered to be milled and fashioned for the drum base. An elaborate triple spiral labyrinth was then painted on the inner layers, designed to help activate the entire chakra (energy) system of the human body. Small indentations were fashioned upon the design in order to accommodate over 200 quartz and rose quartz crystals placed on these interior layers. Polished wood formed the outer layers and, lastly, a huge buffalo skin, donated by the Lakota nation of South Dakota, covered the drum.

Much of the process and design was given to Holzwarth as part of her dreaming connection with the grandmother spirits. The reason for the drum, they told her, is to activate our human “original state of wholeness,” to act as a tuning fork to the body to quicken the process of awakening. Along the way—through modern courtesy of the World Wide Web (we have much to thank Grandmother Spider for, after all!)—many individuals and groups of different cultures, religions, languages and backgrounds, offered their support and encouragement that the drum be built to help all human beings “remember who we are.”

It was also revealed in a dream that the drum was to travel the geologic ring of fire, which runs in a circle from Alaska along the west coast of the United States, down through Central and South America, to New Zealand, Australia, some of the Japanese islands and back to Alaska. Increased geologic activity along this ring is thought to be related to humanity’s awakening of the sacred heart. Thus began Grandmother Drum’s series of tours as she activated her healing sounds within and through humanity, across the world.

The DVD features commentary from many well known Alaskans: Aleut Elder Larry Merculieff, Tlingit Elder Walter Austin, and Athabascan Elder from Chickaloon, Katherine Wade. Featured, too, are many performing artists and eloquent speakers from Alaska, Australia, Central and South America, including well-known musician and “Peace Troubador” James Twyman. 

It is great to see so many unusual aspects to the Grandmother Drum story that are shared within this documentary. For example, Holzwarth reveals her own deeply personal dark night of the soul story. We see the evolution of the dances that form part of the tour. And, on a lighter note, we learn how Grandmother Drum played a role in the Guinness Book of World Records, as part of the largest drum ensemble every gathered (Earthdance Festival of Peace, 2004).

Indeed, the larger story of Grandmother Drum, her creation and continuing adventures, is comprised of many small stories—like small drums sounding their bright tones of connection across the planet, furthering ties of understanding between people, for—as Holzwarth notes—the more we learn about each other, the less we fear.

It is clear through the DVD how Grandmother Drum is not only called to be a center of rituals or events, but a true mode of healing hearts. Be this through reconciliation and healing work with Australian Aboriginal peoples (some of whom are part the “Stolen Generation,” taken as children from their homes and families), through inspiring individuals in concerts and events, or by educating and delighting school children with her sheer presence, the Grandmother Drum sounds a beat that encourages tolerance and compassion for all.