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