Use Shaman Drums For Beautiful Southwestern Home Decor
Want to give your home authentic southwestern style decor? Try including Shaman drums along with your rustic home furnishings like I did. My love for these unique, American Indian drums began right after my husband and I purchased our new home last year. We knew that because of our love for the old west, we wanted true southwestern and Native American style home decor with original rustic home furnishings. Once that was decided I started filling my new home with unique western and country pieces that would match my southwest decor and entertain my visitors by telling a story at the same time. That is when I discovered how easy it was to give my home that chic southwest style that you see in designer home magazines, by decorating with shaman drums.
Maybe you are like me when I first began learning about the symbolic meaning of Native American drums, and have only a vague idea of what the Shamans drum is. Or, maybe you are wondering how to purchase the best drum to use in your Shaman drum circle. Whatever the case, it is necessary to understand the significance this raw hide drum plays in Native American culture so you can develop a true appreciation for its art and let its power influence you in the right direction.
If you are lucky enough to be part of a Shamanic ceremony you will notice that the Shaman, or spiritual leader, will beat a unique looking raw hide hand drum with a soft drum stick to create the soothing monotonous beat used to take him to an altered mental state. During this altered state of mind, called the Shamanic journey, the Shaman receives healing and spiritual powers he uses to help his people. If you look closely at the Shaman's drum you will see that unlike many other leather Native American drums used during tribal ceremonies, these rustic drums have natural raw hide, stretched over a wooden frame on one side and are laced with raw hide string on the other side. They don't have the loop hold like many other ceremonial drums do. A drum made in this way allows for a natural hand holding position so you can be in full contact with the drum and easily manipulate the sound that is vital in bringing out the right tones needed to lead you on your Shamanic journey.
You will also see that many Shaman drums have symbolic painted designs on the rawhide playing surface. These unique American Indian paintings often depict a map of the universe or symbols of spiritual powers you can use to aid you in your spiritual journeying experience. If you are choosing the drum for Shamanic work, take time to study the symbolic meaning of the painting. Since the southwestern designs have spiritual power that directs the journey, you want to make sure it is in agreement with your own practices and guides you in that direction.
Also, I think its very important to check the quality of the drum before purchasing. It's important to check that there are no thin places at the points where the cords of the drumhead are attached. This is vital to the quality and life of your Shaman drum and will save you money in the long run by not having to have it repaired or buy a new one.
Most of the focus is placed on the drum alone but it's also important to choose the appropriate striking mallet so you can enjoy the rich sound of these native drums to its fullest. You will see that there are many different types of mallets that pull out different sounds from the drum and although I personally like using a mallet with a fur covered head, it is a matter of personal experience. Whether you are looking for Native American musical instruments such as drums as part of your home decor or are using it to lead you in your spiritual journey, you will no doubt be mesmerized by the authentic Native American style and southwest charm brought to your life and home by Shaman drums.
Maybe you are like me when I first began learning about the symbolic meaning of Native American drums, and have only a vague idea of what the Shamans drum is. Or, maybe you are wondering how to purchase the best drum to use in your Shaman drum circle. Whatever the case, it is necessary to understand the significance this raw hide drum plays in Native American culture so you can develop a true appreciation for its art and let its power influence you in the right direction.
If you are lucky enough to be part of a Shamanic ceremony you will notice that the Shaman, or spiritual leader, will beat a unique looking raw hide hand drum with a soft drum stick to create the soothing monotonous beat used to take him to an altered mental state. During this altered state of mind, called the Shamanic journey, the Shaman receives healing and spiritual powers he uses to help his people. If you look closely at the Shaman's drum you will see that unlike many other leather Native American drums used during tribal ceremonies, these rustic drums have natural raw hide, stretched over a wooden frame on one side and are laced with raw hide string on the other side. They don't have the loop hold like many other ceremonial drums do. A drum made in this way allows for a natural hand holding position so you can be in full contact with the drum and easily manipulate the sound that is vital in bringing out the right tones needed to lead you on your Shamanic journey.
You will also see that many Shaman drums have symbolic painted designs on the rawhide playing surface. These unique American Indian paintings often depict a map of the universe or symbols of spiritual powers you can use to aid you in your spiritual journeying experience. If you are choosing the drum for Shamanic work, take time to study the symbolic meaning of the painting. Since the southwestern designs have spiritual power that directs the journey, you want to make sure it is in agreement with your own practices and guides you in that direction.
Also, I think its very important to check the quality of the drum before purchasing. It's important to check that there are no thin places at the points where the cords of the drumhead are attached. This is vital to the quality and life of your Shaman drum and will save you money in the long run by not having to have it repaired or buy a new one.
Most of the focus is placed on the drum alone but it's also important to choose the appropriate striking mallet so you can enjoy the rich sound of these native drums to its fullest. You will see that there are many different types of mallets that pull out different sounds from the drum and although I personally like using a mallet with a fur covered head, it is a matter of personal experience. Whether you are looking for Native American musical instruments such as drums as part of your home decor or are using it to lead you in your spiritual journey, you will no doubt be mesmerized by the authentic Native American style and southwest charm brought to your life and home by Shaman drums.
