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