Craig Chambers is the director of Mission Del Rey and author offering free tips about using Native American hand drums for southwestern and rustic decor. For more information visit http://www.missiondelrey.com
Because of my career in interior design, I have always loved Native American hand drums for their simplistic beauty when used for western decor, and for the important role they play in American Indian drum music. Most people I come in contact with do not realize that these hand drums are among the most famous cultural representations in the world. For centuries, American Indian people relied on their belief in the extraordinary 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 comparable characteristics about them, you may not realize that native drums vary in many ways according to tribe. Some tribes use the hand drum exclusively in secret ceremonies, whereas in others, they are the focal point of the public event or powwow. Native people also use these hand held musical instruments for dancing, 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 southwest style home decor or for playing in a drum circle, 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 hoop that measured two to six feet in length, depending on the size of the hand drum desired. Once the drum ring was bent correctly, it was held with one end overlapping the other and held in place with a piece of raw hide lacing. 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 final size.
As you study 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 at 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 stretching ability 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 used for ceremonial drumming, these Native drums will add great character to your home and environment. If you are interested in authenticity and traditional American Indian values, you will definitely enjoy owning and displaying genuine Native American hand drums.
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