| Because I love southwest decorating, I | | | | Also, as you research the importance of |
| recently added ceremonial drums as part of | | | | ceremonial drums in modern culture, you will |
| the rustic, southwest decor in my new home. I | | | | see that Native Indian drums play a |
| was so happy with the beautiful, rustic feel | | | | significant role in the livelihood of native |
| that the Native American drums brought to my | | | | tribes such as the Tarahumara. Making and |
| home, that I started learning about the | | | | selling these rustic style drums allows them |
| history and the influential role they play in | | | | to earn a living, by selling and trading |
| tribal cultures. | | | | their cultural hand crafts, and helps them |
| | | | disperse the knowledge and traditions of |
| If you are like me, you have probably seen | | | | their culture to those who purchase them. |
| how significant ceremonial drums are to the | | | | |
| Native culture but do not understand their | | | | The drum making knowledge, passed on from |
| significance in Native ceremonies or how | | | | generation to generation in these tribes, |
| exactly they are used. Each tribe is unique | | | | teaches the drum makers how to make durable |
| in how they use ceremonial drums but one | | | | and long-lasting ceremonial drums with |
| similarity between each tribe is that the | | | | elements from the Earth and the environment |
| Native drums are very symbolic and part of | | | | around them such as pine wood and natural |
| the main focus of the ceremony. | | | | rawhide. |
| | | | |
| Throughout my research, I have come to find | | | | Today, American Indian drums are not only |
| that learning about these drums truly gives | | | | used in Indian ceremonies such as Native |
| you a great appreciation of the Native | | | | American drum groups and as Indian musical |
| American culture and their customs. As you | | | | instruments, but they are also gaining |
| begin learning about ceremonial drums, you | | | | popularity as pieces of decorative art, |
| will find it very intriguing that the Native | | | | instruments used in school music classes and |
| Americans consider the ceremonial drum to be | | | | even as canvases for Native American art |
| sacred. | | | | projects and southwestern paintings. Some |
| | | | types of ceremonial drums are also used as |
| They are usually used in powwows, Shamanic | | | | southwest style furniture and Native American |
| ceremonies and honor ceremonies to call on | | | | decor, such as the larger powwow drums and |
| the Spirits and to connect with their | | | | pedestal drums that are used as rustic |
| creator. It is believed that each drum has a | | | | tables. |
| spirit and that the drum beat signifies the | | | | |
| heart beat of Mother Nature. Since the drum | | | | Today, it is very easy to buy these unique |
| is believed to connect the people with the | | | | Native American ceremonial drums online and |
| spirit world and direct the a healer in | | | | in stores that sell southwestern, western and |
| helping his people, you will find that they | | | | rustic home decor. However you choose to use |
| are commonly used by the healers to enter the | | | | your ceremonial drum, whether for drumming |
| mind state, known as the Shamanic journey, | | | | groups or in home decorating, you will |
| needed to connect with the Spirits. | | | | definitely be drawn to the rustic charm and |
| | | | western style of ceremonial drums. |