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