Native American drums as instruments have long been a part of America Indian culture. Through drumming music Native tribes have centered their communities for generations. Indian drums are much more than decorations for the Native American. Drums are sacred instruments used in personal meditation and as healing drums were used in place of medicine. Hoop drums, pow wow drums and shaman drums are the most popular Native instruments along with flutes, rattles and shakers used by American Indians. Dance drums are also used for ceremonies. For dancing as well as meditation, there is nothing so moving as Native American drums. See More Native America Drums, Music & Instruments
Why Native Americans Use Drums
People sometimes ask why Native people use drums in their Native American music and how they came to be such a sacred part of the culture and Native American heritage. To understand this, you have to understand the history and culture of the Native American people. Drums have been a part of their tradition as long as they have been around. Drums are used ceremoniously and also in many other ways among members of the tribes.
Native Americans use drums the way many people go to church, pray to their God(s) or seek doctors, therapists and other forms of healing. The drum to the Native American people is more than just an instrument. In accordance to the ancestors, song is an essential part of the life of the people. This is very important to the Native American people. Through song they are able to maintain a relationship with the creator and feel the spiritual power of the God.
Native American Drums Used in Song
The songs that are used by the Native American people have to be carefully passed down from generation to generation so that each new generation understands them and the importance of the song and the drum as it is used with song. Drums are not only used in celebration, they are used for healing as well. Native people use drums because of what the drum symbolizes and also because of the way they see the drum as more than just a musical instrument.
The drum itself is important not just as it is used in the ceremony and song but also itself as an object. The drum in Native American culture is considered a spiritual object, believed to carry the spirit of a woman as it was woman who first brought the drum to the Native American culture many years ago. The drum is believed to have a liaison with the creator and through this; you can connect directly with the creator.
The Native American Drum as a Living Thing
In Native American cultures, the drum is considered to be a living thing and it contains the spirit of the animals and trees that were used in its making. Care and maintenance of the drum is very important and in tribal families, care of the drum is designated usually to selected family members throughout yearly intervals. The Drum Keeper and his family are blessed and supported by the other families in the tribe and the Drum Keeper has a great responsibility to care for the drum properly.
Native American drums are used to provide peace and solace, restore balance and harmony, relieve anger, soothe the mind and reach out to the soul. Drums are used in healing ceremonies and even to comfort small children and babies. Drumming is believed to reunite the drummer with all forms of life and the relationship between the drum and the drummer is believed to be a spiritual, life-long relationship to be taken very seriously. The responsibility falls on the drum owner to care for the drum properly and respect it.