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