Drumming Instead is a grassroots effort to encourage Drumming Instead of fireworks!

Drumming instead

Drumming Instead is a grassroots project, which grew out of a concern for our world and its inhabitants, along with a desire to continue some form of celebration instead of fireworks.

Many of us have fond memories of our youth and being taken to watch fireworks, whether that be at special events or holiday celebrations. We may have similar memories that have continued well into adulthood.

With reports of the devastating results of human choices on our environment, it is very clear that we need to make far better choices from now on. One of those choices is to replace fireworks with drumming.

Fireworks utilize our natural resources, basically, for entertainment. This form of entertainment is a luxury we can no longer afford. In addition to using resources, the fireworks pollute the air, ground, and water. They also create noise pollution: they create unnaturally harsh explosive sounds, which frighten, even terrorize, wild and domestic animals. The highly sensitive hearing of non-human animals may be damaged by the explosive sounds. Firework debris, which ends up in our streams, lakes, and oceans, may be consumed by marine animals, which could result in sicness or death.

In addition, there are health concerns. There are often increases in reports of asthma attacks around the times of fireworks, not to mention the direct injuries, even deaths, caused by fireworks (there are thousands of fireworks-related injuries annually in the U.S.).

Fireworks are also responsible for the fire damage caused by the thousands of fires they cause annually.

As the dominant species on this planet, we humans have an inherent responsibility to make better choices for this world. We can no longer make selfish choices for our own entertainment at the expense of the planet and its inhabitants.

The tradition of fireworks actually began in China, where they would burn green bamboo at New Years. The crackling noise and exploding air pockets were believed to scare away evil spirits. Over time, this tradition evolved into the use of fireworks.

Our wish is to replace the tradition of fireworks (which many recognize as obsolete) with community drumming. This could be in the form of drumming circles or drumming parades/marches, etc. Families, neighborhoods, or entire cities can gather with their drumsfor special occasions. The drums could range from small bongo drums to large Taiko drums. Instead of just being observers, everyone present has the opportunity to be a participant. While our focus is drumming, other wooden percussion instruments could be used, such as wood blocks.

As an additional step toward being a good steward for the planet and its inhabitants, when purchasing a new drum or drum head, consider a synthetic drum head.

What can you do?

There are many things that you can do at various levels of commitment:

• Stop supporting fireworks: No longer attend events using fireworks.
• Voice your concerns to organizers of events using fireworks and encourage alternatives.
• Start your own family, neighborhood, or larger community (even regional) events that focusses on drumming (instead).
• Encourage your current clubs or work teams, etc., to have organize a drumming event.
• Start a Meetup Group (Meetup.com) or other social networking group in your area for a Drumming Instead event. These can be ongoing events for all events/occasions normally including fireworks.
• Add a link to this site, as well as our associated Myspace and Facebook sites.
• Tell your friends, family, and neighbors of this movement and encourage them to move away from the use of fireworks, as well as to move away from supporting events that use fireworks.
• Pass on an email to the recipients in your address book to help raise awareness of this movement.
• Tell your local (even national) media of this movement and any events that you organize.
• Contact local drumming groups, music stores, and clubs, etc., to help spread the awareness of Drumming Instead.

Together, we truly can make a difference!

Instead of just eliminating the fireworks, drumming offers a wonderful alternative! Positive aspects of drumming: Participants enjoy the activity and exercise, as well as the community aspects of the shared experience, instead of just being an observer, such as with firework displays. Drummers and those listening and watching enjoy a variety of rhythms and beats. Participants can also dance to the rhythms. Drumming and dancing are good exercise. Drumming will not pollute like fireworks do. Most world cultures have a history of some form of drumming. Other than the initial production of the drum, natural resources are not needed for the drumming events, as they are for fireworks production. The drumming sounds are far more natural and do not cause the same noise pollution that fireworks do. Perhaps the drumming sounds will also scare away evil spirits!

excerpts from: Are fireworks bad for the environment?

Fourth of July fireworks unleash a shower of toxins into the soil and water, and scientists are only beginning to figure out what that means for human health.

By Russell McLendon
Tue, Jun 30 2009

In addition to gunpowder, fireworks are packed with heavy metals and other toxins that produce their sparkling shower of colors. Like perchlorates, the exact effect of fireworks' heavy-metal fallout is still mainly a mystery, but scientists do know that the metals themselves can wreak havoc in the human body.

• Strontium:  radioactive strontium has a half-life of 29 years.

Radioactive strontium can damage bone marrow, cause anemia and prevent blood from clotting correctly, and lab studies have shown it can lead to birth defects in animals. Stable strontium is mainly a threat to children because it can impair their bone growth. 

• Aluminum: People and animals exposed to large amounts of aluminum have performed poorly on mental and physical tests, and some studies suggest aluminum exposure may lead to Alzheimer's disease, although that connection has yet to be proven.

• Copper: These aren't very toxic on their own, but the copper jump-starts the formation of dioxins when perchlorates in the fireworks burn.

• Barium:  Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, breathing trouble, changes in blood pressure, numbness around the face, general muscle weakness and cramps. High levels of barium exposure can lead to changes in heart rhythm, paralysis or death.

• Rubidium

• Cadmium: this mineral is also a known human carcinogen.

Types of drums (from Wikipedia):

excerpts from the U.S. Fire Administration: TOPICAL FIRE RESEARCH SERIES Volume 1, Issue 7 January 2001 (Rev. December 2001) The Dangers of Fireworks FINDINGS Fireworks were the cause of 13 fatalities, 8,500 injuries, 7,000 fires, and $40 million in property loss in 1998. State laws regulating the sale of fireworks have a direct impact on the incidence of loss. More stringent laws have been responsible for a decrease in injuries in the last decade—from a high of 12,100 in 1990 to a low of 7,800 in 1996. 70-75% of fireworks injuries occur during a 30-day period (June 23-July 23). In addition to Independence Day, other peak periods for injuries are New Year’s Eve and other holidays. 45% of fireworks injuries are to children under the age of 15. Males are three times more likely than females to be injured. * * * * * In addition to civilian injuries, fireworks fires are also deadly to firefighters. For example, in separate 1998 incidents in Alabama and Oklahoma, two firefighters were killed as a result of fires caused by fireworks.13

excerpt from the U.S. Fire Administration: FIGURE 3. ESTIMATED FIREWORKS-RELATED INJURIES Year Estimated Fireworks- Related Injuries Fireworks Injury Rate* 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 10,900 12,500 12,100 12,500 10,900 7,300 8,300 8,500 8,500 11,000 9,500 8,800 9,300 4.3 4.9 4.6 4.8 4.1 2.7 3.0 3.1 3.1 3.9 3.3 3.0 3.2

excerpt from: Wild Birds Fireworks Safety Tips

By Melissa Mayntz, About.com Guide

If live fireworks come into contact with birds they can cause severe burns and injuries to a bird’s plumage, limbs, eyes and skin. The chemicals used in fireworks, including combustible powders and toxic inks, can also cause gastrointestinal distress if they are ingested, even in small quantities. The loud concussions made by personal fireworks can damage birds’ sensitive hearing or may cause enough emotional and psychological stress to drive birds away from nests

excerpt from: The Dangers of Fireworks [North Yorkshire, UK] Sadly on Saturday 29th October 2005 one of our adopted dogs Bridget tragically lost her life due to fireworks. Whilst out walking fireworks were let off near to them, Bridget was so frightened she broke loose from her owner and started running. After 3 hours of searching for her, they found her on a dual carriageway after being hit by a car. excerpts from: Fireworks Safety and Loud Noise Phobias As many pet owners know, fireworks and thunder storms can cause a great deal of stress for some animals. Commonly seen signs include: Shaking, trembling Excessive drooling Barking, howling Trying to hide or get into / out of the house, fence, or other enclosure Refusing to eat food Some animals may loose bladder or bowel control or experience temporary diarrhoea from prolonged stress

excerpt from:

MEDIA RELEASE ISSUED BY THE TSHWANE SPCA 
DATE OF RELEASE:    3 NOVEMBER 2009 
MEDIA RELEASE:  PUT ANIMALS FIRST THIS FIREWORK SEASON 

Pets are run over by vehicles while running panic stricken in the streets.  Wild animals and birds are often forgotten in our primary concern for our pets.  Many of these animals hunt at night and can become disorientated by the noise and flashes. 

excerpt from: Fireworks and Animals A survey of Scottish vets in 2001 The Scottish SPCA has voiced its concern to politicians and has conducted a media campaign to raise awareness of these problems with the general public.  To get a better picture of the extent of the problem throughout the country, the Society conducted a survey of 193 vets across Scotland asking them about their experiences with fireworks. This accounts for 60% of veterinary practices in Scotland.  This survey has established a clearer picture of the animal welfare implications of firework use. excerpt from: Animals and Fireworks Others again grab objects thrown towards them with their mouth imagining they were toys, with the effect that they explode in their mouth; Fireworks can release heaviest health damage to animals up to shock conditions with death sequences.  Birds can lose orientation for quite some time because of the unexpected glare of fireworks rockets. excerpt from: Are fireworks bad for the environment? What we do know is that, although they're fleeting and infrequent, fireworks shows spray out a toxic concoction that rains down quietly into lakes, rivers and bays throughout the country.

excerpts from: Fireworks Threaten Animals

Fireworks generate a noise level higher than the noise from gunshots (140 decibels) and low-level flying jets (100 decibels). Irreversible ear damage, such as tinnitus and loss of hearing in humans starts at the 80-decibel range.

In 1996, research demonstrated that hatchling and juvenile black ducks at a site of overflights in Piney Island, N.C., grew slower and had less body weight than black ducks living in low-noise areas. 

Dogs, cats, and other companion animals don't understand that the terrifying loud bangs are a celebration.  One can only imagine what they think, given how much more sensitive their hearing is than ours.  Humane societies across North America report that after firework displays they are swamped with calls about lost dogs and cats.  Dogs are brought to shelters with paws bloody from running or torn skin from tearing through a backyard wooden fence or, worse, crippled from being hit by a car.

excerpts from: DANGERS & EFFECTS Points to ponder before supporting the fireworks industry People get killed manufacturing fireworks: The mortality rate of gunpowder explosion burns in factory accidents is high Child labour is still used in the manufacture of fireworks (India and China) Irresponsible and criminal use of fireworks poses a danger to both the people using them and innocent members of the public Firecrackers (25%), rockets (21%), and sparklers (11%) accounted for most of the injuries seen in emergency departments during 2001 (Greene 2002) Fireworks explosions can cause tinnitus and even deafness Bottle rockets are the single greatest cause of eye injuries requiring hospitalization The ears of most animals are considerably more sensitive than the human ear and fireworks can permanently affect their acute sense of hearing Animals fleeing from fireworks often get lost or killed.  Dogs are prone to being hit by cars and birds are prone to breaking their necks by flying into buildings Most birds fly away in fright and nesting mothers endanger the well-being of nestlings when they sometimes cannot find their own nest upon return Laying hens show extremely low egg production the day after fireworks and the eggs are often malformed (Dr. Ian Duncan, an ethologist at the University of Guelph, Ontario) Fish ingest the debris and die, sometimes even causing the deaths of scavenging animals that eat them After fireworks, wildlife rehabilitators experience an increase in orphaned birds, squirrels, and other small mammals. Even butterflies are at direct risk of becoming disoriented, injured, and killed. The explosion of fireworks releases poisonous chemicals and particle-laden smoke, contaminating our natural environment Fireworks damage the Ozone layer

excerpts from: Heartbeat of Mother Earth

By The Leader-Post (Regina)
September 11, 2007

• The drum has been called the heartbeat of Mother Earth, the heartbeat of nations, the heartbeat of all life. Its sound evokes natural imagery, awakens the senses, and stirs the soul. It's a symbol of life, a symbol of hope, a symbol of healing. And it's a vital part of aboriginal culture.
• "That heartbeat of Mother Earth reminds us who we are, where we come from and where we're at."
• "Going back thousands of years, the drum has always been a symbol of attachment to an inner peace or ultimate creator,"

Where this project began: Alternatives to a total ban on fireworks (1999): See quote by Jeff Rogers in section "Consideration of alternatives"

Another worthy cause: Balloons Blow... Don't let them go! (balloonsblow.org)

Contact:

info - at - drumminginstead.org

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