Search our Article Directory:

Home | Culture And Society | Humanities


Lakota Native American Drums - The foundation Of Native Heritage

By: Nelson Montana

Powwow Native American drums are probably the most identifiable Native instruments among Indian and non Indian people alike. Drums for many generations have certainly been at the hub of Indian lifestyle, forming what has become the central point of religion and spirituality as well as feast days where a pow wow drum is center stage.

Nearly all Indian leaders in North America history have all used drums in various ways to communicate with a higher power known to most as the Great Spirit. To Native people, Indian drums are much more than just decorations or nice musical instruments. American Indian drums are said to speak to the drummer. Native drums being made in a circle represent the earth and life. The most recognized being hoop drums and shaman drums which are Indian hand drums used in many personal healing and religious ceremonies as well as public ceremonies such as a Native American powwow.

Some believes that the animal skin that is pulled over the ring brings with it unique characteristics of the spirit of the animal and brings a sense of life to the drum when played. Many people think of hitting a drum to make a sound, but to Native American drummers and those involved in modern drumming groups and drum circles, the desire is to draw out the sound. The beating drum is compared to the beating of a human heart and is said to represent the heart beat of the earth which is a belief that is classic Native American. Drums in this way become the central point to connect one's spirit with that of the earth and the Great Spirit through out the history of Native Americans.

Native American Indian drums have a wonderful culture and because they are so important they are used in not only music but art and dance as well. Decorating a drum becomes a very personal artwork to the owner. The Indian drummer becomes an artist and communicates impressions of his inner feelings and beliefs in his Indian art. Some American Indian tribes use pictures of animals to decorate their drums and others use geometric patterns and everything in between. In some tribal Indian cultures the drummer will place something of personal value inside the drum to permanently join himself with his hand drum.

When it comes to painting Native drums, the unique Native American pictures that the artwork on the drums depict is usually painted with natural earth colors taken from nature. Some are dull and others are bright coming from flowers, roots, berries, bark or herbs that are boiled to release their unique earth tones. Other Native American drums are adorned with iron oxide which is a naturally occurring red rock that can be easily crushed. When mixed with water, it produces a rich orange red dye that is much like paint and is indicative if the surrounding hillsides and rock formations like those of the beautiful Arizona red rock canyons. The region of Sedona is thought to be a special place with spiritual power like the energy created by American Indian drums.

The desire of Native American Education except for those Indian boarding schools that have tried to stamp out Native culture has always involved the sharing of beliefs through music, songs, stories and legends. It is in harmony with these forms of learning that the communication and cultural importance has been found in the use of drums. If you are interested in the spiritual aspects of life as pertain to Indian beliefs, you will get a lot out of owning and playing Native American drums.

Article Source: http://www.articlekingpro.com

Craig Chambers is a Native drum enthusiast who promotes authentic Native made Native American drums for hand drumming and rustic southwest home decor. He also offers helpful free Native American drum tips and resources on his website www.nativeamericandrums.net

Please Rate this Article

 

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Humanities Articles Via RSS!
Additional Articles From - Home | Culture And Society | Humanities
Sign Up for a free Article King Pro account or learn more.
Submit Articles
Member Login
Top Authors
Most Popular Articles
Submission Guidelines
Ezine Notifications
Article RSS Feeds
About Us
Link to Us
Contact Us
Copyright & DMCA
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


Most Recent Articles

Powered by Article Dashboard