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