THE PLAINS FIRST NATIONS



DRUMS

Drums were made from hides of bison, elk, moose and deer. Now cowhide is also used.

The drum is an important instrument. A drum is used during ceremonies to provide the beat for dancers. It is used during songs and prayers. It symbolizes the circle of life and the heartbeat of Mother Earth.





The two main types of drums are the hand drum and the drum played at pow wows. Usually one person plays a hand drum. Several people can play their hand drums together. The drum played at pow wows is large and set on a stand. The singers stand around the drum and beat the drum and sing.



The drum making process is handed down from father to son. It begins with soaking the hide. Next, the hide is stretched on a frame and the hair is removed with a scraper. Then the hide is cut and shaped and dried. The hide is stretched over a wooden frame and tied down with sinew or animal tendons. Paints made from ground-up earth powders are mixed with water and are painted on the hide. A special ceremony is held for the drum. It is called the Awakening of the Drum ceremony.

The "drum keeper" had a very important job. He had to take care of the drum. He kept the drum clean and made sure it never touched the ground. No one was to disrespect the drum.



drum at Crazy Horse Memorial, South Dakota





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jgiannet@hotmail.com
July 2011 (updated April 2017)

photo of a drum at the Indian Museum of North America
Crazy Horse Memorial, Black Hills, S.D.
taken by J.Giannetta




credits:
http://art.mt.gov/folklife/folklife_drum.asp
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+spirit+of+the+drum.+(Buffalo+Sprit).-a0104243314