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