I gave my home that great, southwestern look by adding ceremonial drums to my rustic decor. I was so happy with the authentic, southwest style that the Native American drums brought to my home, that I started researching and reading about the history and the important 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 realize their importance in tribal ceremonies or how exactly they are used. Each 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 focus of the ceremony. Throughout my research, I have found that learning about these drums truly gives you a great appreciation of the Indigenous culture and their customs.
As you start reading about ceremonial drums, you will find it very interesting that the native people consider the ceremonial drum to be sacred. They are usually 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 or Shaman to enter the mind state, known as the Shamanic journey, needed to connect with the Spirits.
Also, as you study the importance of ceremonial drums in today's culture, you will see that Native Indian drums have a significant role in the preservation of native 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 buy them. The drum making knowledge, passed on from generation to generation in these tribes, teaches the drum makers how to create durable and long-lasting ceremonial drums with elements from the Earth and the environment around them such as pine wood and natural raw hide.
Today, Native drums are not only used in Indian ceremonies such as Native American drum groups and as Indian 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 Indian paintings. Some types of ceremonial drums are also used as southwest style furniture and Native American decor, such as the larger powwow drums and pedestal drums that are used as rustic tables. Today, it is very easy to buy these beautiful Native American ceremonial drums online and in stores that sell southwestern, western and rustic decor. However you decide to use your ceremonial drum, whether for drumming purposes or in home decorating, you will definitely be drawn to the simplistic charm and western style of ceremonial drums.
About The Author
Craig Chambers is the director of Mission Del Rey and author offering free information online about using Ceremonial Drums for Indian drumming and for unique mountain home design. For more information visit http://www.missiondelrey.com
