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