Large Round Rawhide Covered Wood Log Tarahumara Powwow Drum

This powwow drum is a beautiful piece of traditionally hand made Tarahumaran functional art. The skin on this drum was made from stretched genuine rawhide leather. The frame of the drum is a hollowed log for natural character. The skin has been attached to the frame with rawhide straps. This is a great piece for display or powwow use. It can be set on a stand and is large enough around for 5 or 6 people to play at one time. The rawhide skin can be colorfully hand painted to serve as a decoration or end table. This drum is approximately 18" wide and 20" tall. For tuning and tightening use water and a heat lamp. You'll be getting one from the group of hand made artifacts pictured below.

The drum is a circle. It symbolizes the inseparable unity of the past, present and future. The unity is a circle that binds all people.

Although ceremonies are infinitely varied in detail, they typically involve dancing to the chanting of sacred songs, the shaking of rattles, and blowing of whistles, and the hypnotic rhythms of the drums. Black Elk once explained the drum's symbolic importance: "Its round form represents the universe, and its steady strong beat is the pulse, the heart, throbbing at the center of the universe. As the voice of Wakan Tanka, it stirs and helps us to understand the mystery and the power of things.