Using Ceremonial Drums In Native Drumming Groups And Circles

Date: 2008-11-19 16:28:58

By Craig Chambers

Ceremonial drums gave my home that great, southwestern look I was trying to achieve. I was so happy with the unique, southwestern look that the Native American drums added to my home, that I began researching and reading about the history and the influential role they play in Indigenous cultures. If you are like me, you have probably seen how significant ceremonial drums are to the Native culture but do not know their significance in tribal ceremonies or how exactly they are used. Every tribe is unique in how they use ceremonial drums but one similarity between each tribe is that the Native drums are very symbolic and part of the main focal point of the ceremony. Throughout my research, I have come to find that learning about these drums truly gives you a great appreciation of the Indigenous culture and their customs.

As you begin studying about ceremonial drums, you will find it very intriguing that the Native Americans think of the ceremonial drum to be sacred. They are most often used in powwows, Shamanic ceremonies and honor ceremonies to call on the Spirits and to connect with their creator. It is believed that each drum holds a spirit and that the drum beat signifies the heart beat of Mother Nature. Since the drum is believed to connect the people with the spirit world and lead the a healer in helping his people, you will find that they are commonly used by the healers to enter the trance-like state, known as the Shamanic journey, needed to communicate with the Spirits.

Also, as you learn about the importance of ceremonial drums in modern culture, you will find that Native Indian drums play a significant role in the livelihood of American Indian tribes such as the Tarahumara. Making and selling these rustic style drums allows them to earn a living, by selling and trading their cultural hand crafts, and helps them extend the knowledge and traditions of their culture to those who purchase them. The drum making knowledge, passed on from generation to generation in these tribes, teaches the drum makers how to make durable and long-lasting ceremonial drums with elements from the Earth and the environment around them such as pine wood and natural rawhide.

Today, Indian drums are not only used in Indian ceremonies such as Indian drumming groups and as Native American musical instruments, but they are also gaining popularity as pieces of decorative art, instruments used in school music classes and even as canvases for Native American art projects and southwest paintings. Some types of ceremonial drums are also used as southwest style furniture and western decor, such as the larger powwow drums and pedestal drums that are used as rustic,decorative tables. Today, it is very easy to find these beautiful Native American ceremonial drums online and in stores that sell southwestern, western and rustic decor. However you choose to use your ceremonial drum, whether for drumming groups or in home decorating, you will no doubt be drawn to the rustic charm and southwestern style of ceremonial drums.


Author

Craig Chambers is the director of Mission Del Rey and offers free tips online about buying ceremonial drums for Native drumming and drumming groups. For more information visit http://www.missiondelrey.com. This articles came from MoreArticles.net.


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