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