| Because I love southwest decorating, I recently | | | | Also, as you study the importance of ceremonial |
| added ceremonial drums as part of the rustic, | | | | drums in today's culture, you will see that Native |
| southwest decor in my new home. I was so | | | | Indian drums have a significant part in the |
| impressed with the authentic, rustic feel that the | | | | preservation of Native American tribes such as |
| Native American drums created in my home, that | | | | the Tarahumara. Making and selling these rustic |
| I began learning about the history and the | | | | style drums allows them to earn a living, through |
| influential role they play in Native cultures. | | | | selling and trading their cultural hand crafts, and |
| If you are like me, you have probably seen how | | | | helps them spread the knowledge and traditions |
| significant ceremonial drums are to the Native | | | | of their culture to those who purchase them. |
| culture but do not know their importance in tribal | | | | The drum making knowledge, passed on from |
| ceremonies or how exactly they are used. Every | | | | generation to generation in these tribes, teaches |
| tribe is different in how they use ceremonial | | | | the drum makers how to make durable and |
| drums but one similarity between each tribe is | | | | long-lasting ceremonial drums with elements from |
| that the Native drums are very symbolic and part | | | | the Earth and the environment around them such |
| of the main focus of the ceremony. | | | | as pine wood and natural rawhide. |
| Throughout my research, I have found that | | | | Now days, Indian drums are not only used in |
| learning about these drums truly grants you a | | | | Indian ceremonies such as Native American drum |
| great appreciation of the American Indian culture | | | | groups and as Indian musical instruments, but |
| and their customs. As you start reading about | | | | they are also gaining popularity as pieces of |
| ceremonial drums, you will find it very intriguing | | | | decorative art, instruments used in school music |
| that the native people consider the ceremonial | | | | classes and even as canvases for Native |
| drum to be sacred. They are most often used in | | | | American art projects and southwest paintings. |
| powwows, Shamanic ceremonies and honor | | | | Some types of ceremonial drums are also used |
| ceremonies to call on the Spirits and to connect | | | | as southwest style furniture and western decor, |
| with their creator. | | | | such as the larger powwow drums and pedestal |
| It is believed that each drum holds a spirit and | | | | drums that are used as decorative tables. |
| that the drum beat signifies the heart beat of | | | | Today, it is very easy to buy these beautiful |
| Mother Nature. Since the drum is believed to | | | | Native American ceremonial drums online and in |
| connect the people with the spirit world and guide | | | | stores that sell southwestern, western and rustic |
| the a healer in helping his people, you will find that | | | | home decor. However you decide to use your |
| they are commonly used by the healers or | | | | ceremonial drum, whether for drumming purposes |
| Shaman to enter the trance-like state, known as | | | | or in home decorating, you will no doubt be drawn |
| the Shamanic journey, needed to communicate | | | | to the simplistic charm and southwest style of |
| with the Spirits. | | | | ceremonial drums. |