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