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