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