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