| Native American drums are arguably the most | | | | in not only music but art and dance as well. |
| identifiable Native American instruments among | | | | Decorating a drum becomes a very personal task |
| Indian and non Native people alike. Drums for | | | | to the owner. The Indian drummer becomes an |
| centuries have certainly been at the center of | | | | artist and communicates impressions of his inner |
| Native American lifestyle, forming what has | | | | feelings and beliefs which adorns his drum. Some |
| become the vehicle of religion and spirituality as | | | | American Indian tribes use pictures of animals to |
| well as feast days where a pow wow drum is at | | | | adorn their drums and others use geometric |
| the center. | | | | patterns and everything in between. In some |
| Indian leaders in North America history have all | | | | Native cultures the drummer will place an item of |
| used drums in various ways to communicate with | | | | personal value inside the drum to permanently join |
| a higher power known to most as the Great | | | | himself with his hand drum. |
| Spirit. To Native people, Indian drums are much | | | | The different Native American designs that the |
| more than just decorations or interesting musical | | | | artwork on the drums depict is usually painted |
| instruments. American Indian drums are believed | | | | with natural earth colors taken from nature. Some |
| to speak to the drummer. Native drums being | | | | are dull and others are bright coming from |
| made in a circle represent the earth and life. The | | | | flowers, roots, berries, bark or herbs that are |
| most well known being hoop drums and shaman | | | | boiled to release their unique earth tones. Other |
| drums which are Indian hand drums used in many | | | | Native American drums are decorated with iron |
| personal healing and religious ceremonies as well | | | | oxide which is a naturally occurring red rock that |
| as public ceremonies such as a Native American | | | | can be easily crushed. When mixed with water, it |
| powwow. | | | | produces a rich orange red dye that is much like |
| The animal hide that is pulled over the ring brings | | | | paint and is indicative if the surrounding hillsides |
| with it unique characteristics of the spirit of the | | | | and rock formations like those of the beautiful |
| animal and brings a sense of life to the drum | | | | Arizona red rock canyons. The region of Sedona |
| when played. Many people think of beating a drum | | | | is thought to be a special place with spiritual |
| to make a sound, but to Native American | | | | energy like the energy created by American |
| drummers and those involved in modern | | | | Indian drums. |
| drumming groups and drum circles, the desire is | | | | The desire of Native American Education except |
| to draw out the sound. The beating drum is | | | | for those Indian boarding schools that have tried |
| compared to the beating of a human heart and is | | | | to stamp out Native culture has always involved |
| said to represent the heart beat of the earth | | | | the sharing of beliefs through music, songs, stories |
| which is a belief that is classic Native American. | | | | and legends. It is in harmony with these forms of |
| Drums in this way become the vehicle to connect | | | | learning that the communication and cultural |
| one's spirit with that of the earth and the Great | | | | importance has been found in the use of drums. |
| Spirit through out the history of Native Americans. | | | | If you are interested in the spiritual aspects of life |
| Native American drums have a beautiful culture | | | | as pertain to Indian beliefs, you will enjoy owning |
| and because they are so important they are used | | | | and playing Native American drums. |