| Native American drums are arguably the most | | | | Adding decoration to a drum becomes a very |
| identifiable Native American instruments among | | | | personal task to the owner. The Indian drummer |
| Native Americans and non American Indian people | | | | becomes an artist and communicates impressions |
| alike. Drums for centuries have certainly been at | | | | of his inner feelings and beliefs which adorns his |
| the hub of Indian lifestyle, forming what has | | | | drum. Some American Indian tribes use pictures |
| become the center of religion and spirituality as | | | | of animals to adorn their drums and others use |
| well as feast days where a pow wow drum is | | | | geometric patterns and everything in between. In |
| center stage. | | | | some Native cultures the drummer will place an |
| Indian tribes in North America history have all | | | | item of personal value inside the drum to |
| used drums in various ways to interact with a | | | | permanently join himself with his hand drum. |
| higher power known to most as the Great Spirit. | | | | The different 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 said to | | | | are dull and others are bright coming from |
| speak to the drummer. Native drums being made | | | | flowers, roots, berries, bark or herbs that are |
| in a circle represent the earth and life. The most | | | | boiled to release their unique earth tones. Other |
| well known being hoop drums and shaman drums | | | | Native American drums are adorned with iron |
| 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 placed over the ring | | | | and rock formations like those of the beautiful |
| brings with it unique characteristics of the spirit of | | | | Arizona red rock canyons. The region of Sedona |
| the animal and brings a sense of life to the drum | | | | is thought to be a special place with spiritual |
| when played. Many people think of pounding a | | | | energy like the energy created by American |
| drum to make a sound, but to Indian drummers | | | | Indian drums. |
| and those involved in modern drumming groups | | | | The direction of Native American Education |
| and drum circles, the desire is to draw out the | | | | except for those Indian boarding schools that |
| sound. The beating drum is compared to the | | | | have tried to stamp out Native culture has always |
| beating of a human heart and is said to represent | | | | involved the sharing of beliefs through music, |
| the heart beat of the earth which is a belief that | | | | songs, stories and legends. It is in harmony with |
| is classic Native American. Drums in this way | | | | these means of learning that the communication |
| become the center to connect one's spirit with | | | | and cultural importance has been found in the use |
| that of the earth and the Great Spirit through out | | | | of drums. If you are interested in the spiritual |
| the history of American Indians. | | | | aspects of life as pertain to Indian beliefs, you |
| Native American drums have a beautiful culture | | | | would get a lot out of owning and playing Native |
| and because they are so important they are used | | | | American drums. |
| in not only music but art and dance as well. | | | | |