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