| Because I enjoy home decorating, I have | | | | cut correctly, the long thin strip of wood |
| always loved Native American hand drums for | | | | curled to form a ring that measured two to |
| their simplistic beauty when used for | | | | six feet in length, depending on the size of |
| southwestern decor, and for the significant | | | | the hand drum desired. Once the drum ring was |
| role they play in American Indian drum music. | | | | properly bent, it was held with one end |
| Most people I come in contact with do not | | | | overlapping the other and secured in place |
| realize that these hand drums are some of the | | | | with a piece of raw hide lacing. Allowed to |
| most famous cultural representations in the | | | | dry slowly in the open air, the remaining |
| world. For centuries, American Indian people | | | | moisture in the hand drum hoop would |
| relied on their belief in the special power | | | | evaporate, allowing the ring to shrink to the |
| of these drums for spiritual and healing | | | | exact size. |
| purposes, and have always considered the hand | | | | |
| drum as a prized possession among all Native | | | | As you look into the history of the different |
| American musical instruments. | | | | tribal hand drums made, you will notice that |
| | | | they were covered on either one, or both |
| Even though all Native American drums have | | | | sides of the drum hoop with animal skin. |
| similar characteristics about them, you may | | | | Various woods and hides were used depending |
| not realize that native drums differ in many | | | | on the Indian tribe and where they were at |
| ways depending on the tribe. Some tribes use | | | | geographically, but the most common materials |
| the hand drum exclusively in secret | | | | were pine, and goat skin. These days, Native |
| ceremonies, whereas in others, they are the | | | | American hand drums are made using a variety |
| point of interest of the public event or | | | | of animal hides, but traditionally, goat skin |
| powwow. Native people also use these hand | | | | rawhide was the preferred skin because of its |
| held musical instruments for dancing, | | | | special stretching and sound quality. |
| personal meditating and in sweat lodges. No | | | | |
| matter how they are used, the hand drum still | | | | Now days, you can readily find Native |
| plays a key role in American Indian music and | | | | American hand drums online and in stores that |
| in Native culture today. | | | | sell southwestern and country home decor. |
| | | | Whether adorned on the wall in a cabin or |
| When buying one of these beautiful drums to | | | | lodge to enhance rustic decor, or simply |
| add to your western style home decor or for | | | | being played for ceremonial drumming, these |
| playing in a drum circle, it is wise to | | | | Native drums will add great character to your |
| choose one made with quality materials | | | | home and environment. If you are interested |
| similar to the original materials used. The | | | | in authenticity and traditional American |
| original, all natural hand held drums used | | | | Indian values, you will certainly enjoy |
| throughout Native American history, were made | | | | having and displaying authentic Native |
| of wood cut from a fallen tree trunk. When | | | | American hand drums. |