Want to give your home authentic Native American style decor? Try using 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 one of a kind rustic home furnishings. Once that was decided I started filling my new home with unique western and Native American pieces that would go with my rustic decor and entertain my guests by telling a story at the same time. That is when I came across how simple it was to give my home that beautiful country 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 history and meaning of Native American drums, and have only a rough idea of what the Shamans drum is. Or, maybe you are wondering how to choose the right drum to play in your Shaman drum circle. Whatever the case, it is important 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 lead you in the right direction.

If you are fortuneate enough to attend or be involved in 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 guide his people. If you take a close look at the Shaman's drum you will realize that unlike many other leather Native American drums used during tribal ceremonies, these rustic drums have natural raw hide, stretched over a wood 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 tribal drums do. A drum fashioned in this way allows for a natural hand holding position so you can fully control the drum and easily manipulate the sound that is vital in bringing out the right tones necessary to lead you on your Shamanic journey.

You will also see that many Shaman drums have symbolic paintings on the rawhide drum face. These unique Native American symbols often depict a map of the universe or symbols of spiritual powers you can use to guide you in your meditating and journeying experience. If you are using the drum for Shamanic work, take time to study the symbolic meaning of the painting. Since the rustic paintings have a spirit and power that guides the journey, you want to make sure it is in line with your own practices and guides you in that direction.

Also, I always make sure 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 connected. This is important for 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.

A lot of focus is placed on the drum alone but don't forget to choose the right striking mallet so you can enjoy the resonating sound of these native drums to its fullest. You will see that there are many variations 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 what works best for you. Whether you are purchasing Native American musical instruments such as drums to incorporate into your home decor or are using it to help you in your spiritual journey, I guarantee that you will love the authentic Native American style and southwest charm added to your life and home by Shaman drums.