Drumming - Singing
The Drum and its Singers are essential
to every Ceremony. The Drum and the songs are very sacred and have been handed
down through the generations.
The Drum sings for all the ceremonies
and occasions. There are many types of songs. Songs for welcoming, prayer,
making relations, help, health, healing and there are songs for closing the
ceremonies.
The Drum, itself, is a wooden hoop with
its heads covered in rawhide. A Drum can seat about eight people. Drum
sticks are usually fiberglass rods with a leather handle and padded leather
head.
Learning the songs and the skills
needed to sing on a drum is difficult and takes a lot of time for a singer.
Because of the large number of songs needed, and the difficulty of the skill
required, there is a deep level of commitment and dedication from each
individual for a drum to be successful.
