| Because I enjoy home decorating, I have always | | | | properly, the long thin strip of wood curled to form a |
| loved Native American hand drums for their natural | | | | ring that measured two to six feet in length, |
| beauty when used for southwestern decor, and for | | | | depending on the size of the hand drum desired. |
| the significant role they play in American Indian drum | | | | Once the drum ring was bent to the right size, it was |
| music. Most people I meet don't know that these | | | | held with one end overlapping the other and kept in |
| hand drums are among the most famous cultural | | | | place with a piece of rawhide lace. Allowed to dry |
| icons in the world. For centuries, American Indian | | | | naturally in the open air, the remaining wetness in the |
| people relied on their belief in the unique power of | | | | hand drum hoop would evaporate, allowing the ring |
| these drums for spiritual and healing purposes, and | | | | to shrink to the exact size. |
| have always thought of the hand drum as a prized | | | | As you research the history of the various tribal hand |
| possession among all Native American musical | | | | drums made, you will learn that they were covered |
| instruments. | | | | on either one, or both sides of the drum hoop with |
| Though all Native American drums have similar | | | | animal skin. Various woods and hides were used |
| characteristics about them, you may not realize that | | | | depending on the Indian tribe and where they were |
| native drums are different in many forms according | | | | geographically, but the most common materials were |
| to tribe. Some tribes use the hand drum only in | | | | pine, and goat skin. These days, Native American |
| secret ceremonies, whereas in others, they are the | | | | hand drums are made using a variety of animal hides, |
| main focus of the public ceremony or powwow. | | | | but traditionally, goat skin rawhide was the preferred |
| Native people also use these hand held musical | | | | skin because of its special stretching and sound |
| instruments for dance, personal meditating and in | | | | quality. |
| sweat lodges. No matter how they are used, the | | | | Today, you can easily find Native American hand |
| hand drum still plays a key role in American Indian | | | | drums online and in stores that specialize in |
| music and in Native culture today. | | | | southwestern and American Indian home decor. |
| When choosing one of these beautiful drums to add | | | | Whether adorned on the wall in a cabin or lodge to |
| to your western style home decor or for playing in a | | | | enhance rustic decor, or simply being played for |
| drum group, it is important to choose one made with | | | | ceremonial drumming, these Native drums will add |
| quality materials similar to the original materials used. | | | | great charm to your life and environment. If you are |
| The traditional, all natural hand held drums used | | | | drawn to authenticity and traditional American Indian |
| throughout Native American history, were made of | | | | values, you will certainly enjoy owning and displaying |
| wood cut from a downed tree trunk. When cut | | | | genuine Native American hand drums. |