| Native American drums are undeniably the most | | | | Decorating a drum becomes a very personal |
| loved Indian instruments among American | | | | task to the owner. The Indian drummer becomes |
| Indians and non Indian people alike. Drums | | | | an artist and communicates impressions of his |
| for hundreds of years have always been at the | | | | inner feelings and beliefs in his Indian art. |
| center of American Indian lifestyle, forming | | | | Some American Indian tribes use images of |
| what has become the vehicle of religion and | | | | animals to personalize their drums and others |
| spirituality as well as special days where a | | | | use geometric patterns and everything in |
| pow wow drum is at the forefront. | | | | between. In some tribal Indian cultures the |
| | | | drummer will place something of personal |
| Indian tribes in North America history have | | | | value inside the drum to permanently join |
| all used drums in various ways to connect | | | | himself with his hand drum. |
| with a higher power known to most as the | | | | |
| Great Spirit. To Native people, Indian drums | | | | The different Native American designs that |
| are much more than just decorations or nice | | | | the artwork on the drums depict is often |
| musical instruments. American Indian drums | | | | painted with natural earth colors taken from |
| are thought to speak to the drummer. Native | | | | nature. Some are dull and others are bright |
| drums being made in a circle represent the | | | | coming from flowers, roots, berries, bark or |
| earth and life. The most identifiable being | | | | herbs that are boiled to release their unique |
| hoop drums and shaman drums which are Indian | | | | earth tones. Other Native American drums are |
| hand drums used in many personal healing and | | | | adorned with iron oxide which is a naturally |
| religious ceremonies as well as public | | | | occurring red rock that can be easily |
| ceremonies such as a Native 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 vehicle to connect one's spirit | | | | harmony with these means of learning that the |
| with that of the earth and the Great Spirit | | | | 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 drums have a rich culture and | | | | as pertain to Indian beliefs, you would enjoy |
| because they are so important they are used | | | | having and playing Native American drums. |
| in not only music but art and dance as well. | | | | |