To The Beat of the Spirit Drum

Gift shops are so interesting, especially in Native American casinos where many of the items are hand crafted by Native Americans. While browsing in the Seven Feathers gift shop in Oregon I found many things I admired, but I kept going back to three drums of different sizes. The medium sized one kept getting my attention. After looking at the beautiful woolen blankets and robes and a fine selection of handmade jewelry I realized that I couldn’t have it all. I decided on the medium sized Indian drum which hangs proudly on my wall. The other choices would have to wait until another time.

The drum is made of rawhide stretched over a frame of red cedar. It is about sixteen inches across and three inches deep. Small blocks glued together allow it to become the circular frame over which the wet rawhide is stretched. Thongs are threaded through the piece of rawhide that folds over the top of the frame and it is all pulled together underneath and becomes a braided strap. As the rawhide dries it becomes very tight.

Instructions for the care of the drum say to brush it with a light coat of Neet’s foot oil every few months to help keep the top of the drum tight; damp weather can cause it to lose some of the tightness that is required. My curiosity led me to research “Neet’s foot oil,” and learned that it comes from the foot of an ox. It is used to restore saddles and Western items made of leather.

My husband was lying on the bed shortly after I had purchased the drum and I was standing in the hall wiping the top of it with a paper towel after I had applied the oil when something hit it with a loud bang. Needless to say I was amazed and startled.

There were many explanations about the cause of the loud whack on the drum while I held it in my hands. Most people said it must be the change in the barometer causing the rawhide to contract or expand. Later I learned through my Spirit Guide that sound was a call to attention. The spirits wanted me to know that they were around.

Now several years later something still hits the drum occasionally with a very loud whack that raises people out of their chairs and startles them. The loudness can be compared with the sound of a small caliber rifle shot. I have learned to consult my Spirit Guide through my dowsing pendulum and alphabetical chart and see what message the spirits are bringing me. Usually they are warning me of imminent danger, to be alert.

There are still those that insist it is the changing weather causing the loud bang on the drum. I give them a knowing smile and thank the good spirits for alerting me of dangers around the area.