Birth of the Shaman Drum – Workshop at Spring Equinox


friday-Sunday, 20-22 MARCH, 2026
GUEST HOUSE KESTIKIEVARI HERRANNIEMI, VUONISLAHTI, NORTH KARELIA, FINLAND

 
 

GUIDED BY TUULIA KURKELA

COORDINATED BY HELENA KARHU

Welcome to celebrate the spring equinox by the shores of the sacred lake Pielinen in North Karelia, Finland!

Welcome to co-create a unique and personal drum during the weekend. Each participant will make their own power drum, tailored in size and style.
The drum frames are pre-bent from pine or aspen and vary in shape and size. We will begin by working on the frames, and there is also an opportunity to treat them with tar and fire.

Leather options include hand-processed deer hide or machine-processed reindeer hide (please inform us at least two weeks before the course if you want reindeer hide). Deer hides are available in natural light tones or alder-dyed in variegated orange-brown shades and in different sizes. Several hides will be available on site for selection, and some hides can also be dyed during the course. If you wish to dye leather during the course, please contact the instructor at least one week in advance. There are several lacing techniques for the drum, and we will find the one that suits you personally.
You can bring wood, bone, or other natural materials for the handle and beater. The beater head will be felted from wool.

Course Schedule:
Friday:

  • 15:00 Arrival at Kolin Mattila, settling in, grounding

  • 16:00 The birth of the drums begins with Tuulia Kurkela’s guidance

  • 19:00 Dinner

  • 20:00 Drum-making continues

  • Sauna

Saturday:

  • 07:00 Breakfast

  • 08:00 Drum-making continues

  • 12:00 Lunch break

  • 13:00 Drum-making continues

  • 18:00 Dinner

  • 19:00 Course continues

  • Sauna

Sunday:

  • 07:00 Breakfast

  • 08:00 Drum-making continues

  • 12:00 Lunch break

  • 13:00 Course ends

Each course day begins with a shared circle to center ourselves and tune into the process of building the drum. During the crafting, we will also explore questions related to drum use.

What to bring:
Sharp scissors, a puukko (Finnish carving knife), and weather-appropriate clothing. If possible, also bring a bucket and a 1x1 meter base for working on your drum.

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The cozy atmosphere of the guest house creates a homely and safe space for our course circle.

“Together, we will create something that continues to resonate within you long after the course ends.”

Instructor: Tuulia Kurkela
Drum-making courses since 2001. She has led drum circles and studied ancient Finnish spiritual traditions.


“I am Tuulia Kurkela, drum-maker and teacher of shamanic meditation. I studied Finnish shamanism for years under Johannes Setälä. I’ve led drum circles with Four Winds (Neljä Tuulta ry) and at the course center of Luonnon Keskus Oy. I was first introduced to Four Winds in 1996 at Taivaskallio in Helsinki. Through Charles Lawrence’s retreats, I became familiar with Native American practices. I’ve been building drums since 2001 and have guided numerous drum-making workshops. I’m passionate about folk healing, gathering nature’s gifts, and living in rhythm with the seasons. In autumn, for example, I process fresh hides into rawhide and make drum frames when the lake is still unfrozen.”

Course Venue:
The guest house Kestikievari Herranniemi by the shores of Lake Pielinen. This is a beautiful family-owned guest house with charming wooden buildings, saunas, and excellent Karelian food made by local products and homemade breads. The train station is in the walking distance of the guest house in the cultural village of Vuonislahti, so this place is easy to reach also by the public transportation.

Is This Course for Me?
The course is suitable for anyone who feels a natural interest in the topic. It is alcohol- and substance-free, and all meals are vegetarian. Please note that the venue is not wheelchair-accessible and requires normal mobility.

Registration:

Reserve your place here: info@karhuntalo.com

A reservation fee of 70 EUR (incl. 25.5% VAT) is paid at registration.
The remaining course fee is paid on-site, depending on the leather you choose:

  • 270 EUR with reindeer hide

  • 270–310 EUR with hand-processed deer hide (depending on size)

Accommodation with full board (from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch) is 195 EUR per person, paid directly to the guesthouse. Also single rooms available with small additional fee.

Booking and cancellation terms:

 https://www.karhuntalo.com/booking-and-cancellation-conditions