| Native American drums are without a doubt the | | | | an artist and communicates impressions of his |
| most recognizable Native instruments among | | | | inner feelings and beliefs in his Indian art. |
| Native Americans and non Native American | | | | Some American Indian tribes use animals to |
| people alike. Drums for many generations have | | | | adorn their drums and others use geometric |
| always been at the center of Native | | | | patterns and everything in between. In some |
| lifestyle, forming what is the conduit of | | | | Native cultures the drummer will place some |
| religion and spirituality as well as feast | | | | item of personal value inside the drum to |
| days where a pow wow drum is at the center. | | | | permanently join himself with his hand drum. |
| Indian leaders in North America history have | | | | The unique Native American pictures that the |
| all used drums in various ways to connect | | | | artwork on the drums depict is usually |
| with a higher power known to most as the | | | | painted with natural earth colors taken from |
| Great Spirit. To Native people, Indian drums | | | | nature. Some are dull and others are bright |
| are much more than just decorations or nice | | | | coming from flowers, roots, berries, bark or |
| musical instruments. American Indian drums | | | | herbs that are boiled to release their unique |
| are said to speak to the drummer. Native | | | | earth tones. Other Native American drums are |
| drums being made in a circle represent the | | | | adorned with iron oxide which is a naturally |
| earth and life. The most well known being | | | | occurring red rock that can be easily |
| hoop drums and shaman drums which are Indian | | | | crushed. When mixed with water, it produces a |
| hand drums used in many personal healing and | | | | rich orange red dye that is much like paint |
| religious ceremonies as well as public | | | | and is indicative if the surrounding |
| ceremonies such as a Native American powwow. | | | | hillsides and rock formations like those of |
| The hide of the animal that is pulled over | | | | the beautiful Arizona red rock canyons. The |
| the ring brings with it unique | | | | region of Sedona is thought to be a special |
| characteristics of the spirit of the animal | | | | place with spiritual energy like the energy |
| and brings a sense of life to the drum when | | | | created by American Indian drums. The goal of |
| played. Many people think of beating a drum | | | | Native American Education except for those |
| to make a sound, but to Indian drummers and | | | | Indian boarding schools that have tried to |
| those involved in modern drumming groups and | | | | stamp out Indian has always involved the |
| drum circles, the desire is to draw out the | | | | sharing of beliefs through music, songs, |
| sound. The beating drum is compared to the | | | | stories and legends. It is in harmony with |
| beating of a human heart and is said to | | | | these forms of learning that the |
| represent the heart beat of the earth which | | | | communication and cultural importance has |
| is a belief that is classic Native American. | | | | been found in the use of drums. If you are |
| Drums in this way become the conduit to | | | | interested in the spiritual aspects of life |
| connect one's spirit with that of the earth | | | | as pertain to Indian beliefs, you will enjoy |
| and the Great Spirit through out the history | | | | owning and playing Native American drums. |
| of Native Americans. Native American Indian | | | | |
| drums have a wonderful culture and because | | | | Craig Chambers is the director of Mission Del |
| they are so important they are used in not | | | | Rey and author offering free information |
| only music but art and dance as well. | | | | online about how to use Native American |
| Decorating a drum becomes a very personal | | | | drums to create beautiful Southwest home |
| task to the owner. The Indian drummer becomes | | | | decorating. |