Because I love southwest decorating, I recently added ceremonial drums as part of the rustic, southwest decor in my new home. I was so happy with the beautiful, rustic feel that the Native American drums brought to my home, that I started learning about the history and the influential role they play in tribal cultures.

If you are like me, you have probably seen how significant ceremonial drums are to the Native culture but do not understand their significance in Native 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 come to find that learning about these drums truly gives you a great appreciation of the Native American culture and their customs. As you begin learning about ceremonial drums, you will find it very intriguing that the Native Americans 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 has 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 direct the a healer in helping his people, you will find that they are commonly used by the healers to enter the mind state, known as the Shamanic journey, needed to connect with the Spirits.

Also, as you research the importance of ceremonial drums in modern culture, you will see that Native Indian drums play a significant role in the livelihood 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 disperse the knowledge and traditions of their culture to those who purchase them.

The drum making knowledge, passed on from generation to generation in these tribes, teaches the drum makers how to make durable and long-lasting ceremonial drums with elements from the Earth and the environment around them such as pine wood and natural rawhide.

Today, American Indian 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 southwestern 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 unique Native American ceremonial drums online and in stores that sell southwestern, western and rustic home decor. However you choose to use your ceremonial drum, whether for drumming groups or in home decorating, you will definitely be drawn to the rustic charm and western style of ceremonial drums.