Afrikaya Drum Circles

Afrikaya drum circles take place roughly twice a month:

Pre-booking only! Scroll to bottom of page for dates!

As well as providing a fun and therapeutic way to spend an afternoon, Afrikaya Drum Circles raise money for our charity operating in West Africa

According to a well-cited article on Green Med, there are six evidence-based benefits to drumming, beyond the enhanced mindfulness aspect:

  1. “Reduces blood pressure, anxiety and stress: 2014 study published in Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine.
  2. Improves cognitive function: 2014 study in Journal of Huntington’s Disease.
  3. Pain Reduction: 2012 study published in Evolutionary Psychology
  4. Improve Immunity: 2011 study published in Alternative Therapies and Health Medicine
  5. Induces Theta; enhanced meditation: 2004 study published in the Journal Multiple Sclerosis
  6. Depression and Emotional Disorders: 2001 study published in the Journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine [15]”

Drum circles are often used as music therapy for soldiers suffering from PTSD

20 years ago, Geoff  (our main facilitator) trained with Arthur Hull and has since trained in West African rhythms with various  djembefolabahs (including Naby Lebon Traore) in The Gambia.

  • Pre-booking only. Please email afrikayadrums@gmail.com
  • Advance payment secures booking
  • Do not come if you have viral symptoms.
  • Please book in advance.
  • Refreshments available at reasonable price.
  • If you need to hire 1 of our drums, you must book in advance.  Please email

Please note: donation entry £10 per person. Family rates, please ask. Drum hire £3 per drum.

Saturdays 2 pm to 4 pm

Coronation Hall, Alton Barnes, Wiltshire, SN8 4LB

All proceeds from our community drum circles go direct to support the work of Afrikaya in The Gambia.

Suitable for beginners to intermediate.

If you are not a member of Wiltshire Drum Circles on Facebook or do not receive our regular drum circle emails, please email to check if the circle is still on.

Afrikaya Drum Circles involve hand drums [mostly djembes from Africa], other percussive instruments from around the world, and also any other instruments that complement the free-form rhythm produced by the circle.

Here’s a recent video [pre-pandemic] of mostly novice drummers:

Dancers are be more than welcome. Drumming and dancing are very much linked as part of the West African culture. As well as facilitating rhythm, West African djembe rhythms and specific dances are practiced in harmony to tell a story from an African tradition.

Afrikaya drum circles are a combination of community support circles, facilitated circles, and teaching of simple West African rhythms.

Dates for 2025

2 August, 16 August, 30 August, 13 September, 27 September, 25 October, 22 November, 6 December, 20 December.
Please note dates are subject to change, so please check with us.