by Suedehead

Native American drums are undoubtedly one of the most beloved instruments among both Native and non-Native people. For centuries, drums have been at the center of Indian lifestyle, serving as a medium of religion, spirituality, and special occasions where a powwow drum takes center stage.

North American Indian tribes have used drums in various ways to communicate with the Great Spirit. To Native people, Indian drums are more than just decorations or musical instruments. American Indian drums are believed to speak to the drummer. Native drums, being made in a circle, represent the world and existence. The most recognizable of these are the hoop drums and shaman drums, which are Indian hand drums used in many individual healing and religious ceremonies, as well as public ceremonies like a Native American powwow.

The hide of the animal stretched over the ring brings with it the specific characteristics of the spirit of the animal and brings a sense of life to the drum when played. While many people think of beating a drum to create a sound, to Native drummers and those involved in contemporary drumming groups and drum circles, the goal is to draw out the sound. The beating drum is compared to the beating of the human heart and is said to represent the heartbeat of the world, a belief that is a classic Native American concept. Drums, in this way, become the medium to connect one’s spirit with that of the world and the Great Spirit throughout the history of American Indians.

Native American Indian drums have a rich culture and are used not only in music but also in art and dance. Decorating a drum becomes a highly personal art form for the owner. The Indian drummer becomes an artist and communicates impressions of his internal feelings and values in his Indian art. Some American Indian tribes use animals to adorn their drums, while others use geometric patterns and everything in between. In some Native cultures, the drummer may place something of personal value inside the drum to forever join himself with his hand drum.

The different Native American images depicted in the artwork found on the drums are often painted with natural world hues taken from nature. Some are dull, while others are bright, derived from flowers, roots, berries, bark, or herbs boiled to release their specific world tones. Other Native American drums are decorated with iron oxide, a naturally occurring red rock that is easily broken. When mixed with water, it produces a rich orange-red dye that is much like paint and is indicative of the surrounding hillsides and rock formations, such as those found in the beautiful Arizona red rock canyons. The area of Sedona is considered a unique destination with spiritual energy like the power built by American Indian drums.

The purpose of Native American education, except for those Indian boarding schools that have attempted to stamp out Native culture, has always been associated with the sharing of values through music, songs, stories, and legends. It is in harmony with these methods of understanding that the correspondence and cultural value have been found in the use of drums. If you are interested in the spiritual aspects of life as it pertains to Indian values, you can gain a lot from having and playing Native American drums.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME

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