You Can Use Native American Hand Drums For Beautiful Southwest Home Decorating Or For Native Drumming

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 talk to never knew that these hand drums are some of 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 considered the hand drum as a prized possession among all Native American musical instruments.

Though all Native American drums have corresponding characteristics about them, you may not realize that native drums differ in many forms according to tribe. Some tribes use the hand drum exclusively in secret ceremonies, whereas in others, they are the focal point 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 continues to play 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 circle, it is wise to choose one made with quality materials similar to the original materials used. The original, all natural hand held drums used throughout Native American history, were made of wood cut from a fallen 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 secured in place with a piece of raw hide lacing. Allowed to dry naturally outdoors, the remaining moisture in the hand drum hoop would evaporate, allowing the ring to shrink to the right size.

As you research the history of the different tribal hand drums made, you will notice that they were covered on either one, or both sides of the drum hoop with animal skin. Different woods and hides were used depending on the Indian tribe and where they were located geographically, but the most used materials were pine, and goat skin. These days, Native American hand drums are made using a variety of exotic hides, but traditionally, goat skin rawhide was the preferred skin because of its special stretching and sound quality.

Now days, you can easily find Native American hand drums online and in stores that specialize in southwestern and country 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 charm to your life and environment. If you are interested in authenticity and traditional American Indian values, you will definitely enjoy having and displaying genuine Native American hand drums.

Article Source: http://www.phalenes.org/articles

Craig Chambers is the director of Mission Del Rey and author offering free information online about how to choose Native American hand drums for American Indian drumming and for beautiful rustic home design. For more information visit www.missiondelrey.com

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