PATAKIN: World Tales of Drums and Drummers

Ten folktales from parts of the globe as widely separated as the Arctic and Fiji. Drums and the magical or inspirational powers attributed to them play a role in each of the stories (e.g., Miriam, the sister of Moses, plays a drum and sings to encourage the panic-stricken Israelites at the crossing of the Red Sea; in a tale from County Clare, a drummer's irresistible rhythms keep the menacing denizens of a haunted house hopping until dawn and their exertions render them harmless). Each story is prefaced by a description of the drums used and the role of drumming in that culture. Examples of typical drum rhythms are shown in musical notation. Jaffe's background as a storyteller is apparent in the simplicity and verve of her retellings, and her experiences as a student of African and Latin drumming styles inform her perceptive, enthusiastic commentary. A very unusual and valuable resource, combining good stories with careful ethnomusicological research. Illus. not seen; ideally, they would include pictures of the drums mentioned. Miscellaneous explanatory notes (including a classification of drums); glossary; extensive bibliography and discography, including addresses of sources; meticulous source notes for each story.