Story of the Drum

~ The Drum ~

Artist~ Johnson Charley & Photographer~ NativeLEE

" I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU A STORY ABOUT THE DRUM "
- Jefferson Lee

'THE DRUM' .... it originated from this earth.

"THEY SAY THE DRUM IS FOR DEVINE NATURE....
THAT IT REPRESENTS THE BEGINNING OF THIS WORLD, THE WAY GOD CREATED IT."

"Everything that the earth contains is how this drum originated.

When we use it in our ceremonial ways, we put this drum (iron kettle) together by first filling it with a live water.

Charcoal is then placed into this drum from a live fire.

The drum is covered with a circular piece of animal hyde (deer or antelope usually) that is stretched tightly over the rim of the drum (kettle). We then use a piece of rope that secures seven pieces (7) of rocks to the rim of the drum.

"THE ROPE REPRESENTS A ROAD OF LIFE."

When the hyde is stretched, it is going to make a sound.

When this sound comes out, and when we sing..... we use these songs and sounds at the same time with a gourd.

Instruments used in the Native American Church. Copyright 1999 NativeLEE.

IT MAKES A BEAUTIFUL TUNE.

This sound then goes into the air and into the sky.

That is how the old folks tell us to glorify The Great Spirit.
We pray that the good nature might hear us.

LIKE THE WHITE MEN SAY: THERE ARE 7 DAYS THAT THE GREAT SPIRIT CREATED THIS UNIVERSE. DINE' (Navajo) TEACHINGS TELL US THE SAME STORIES; ABOUT HOW THE SEVEN (7) NATURES WERE BORN.

THEY ALSO TELL US ABOUT THE THREE (3) TWINS THAT WERE BORN AND HOW THE LAST CHILD WAS BORN A SINGLE CHILD. (ALTOGETHER THERE WERE 7 BORN NATURES.)

THAT'S THE REASON WHY NAVAJO'S HAVE STORIES AND CEREMONIES. WE ALSO HAVE SONGS THAT ARE RELATED TO THESE NATURES THAT ARE BORN CALLED THE SOUND OF NATURE. ALL OF NATURE WAS PUT TOGETHER SO THAT WHEN YOU HIT THE DRUM WITH THE DRUMSTICK THE SOUND COMES OUT.

THE SOUND OF THE WATER, THE FIRE, THE AIR, & THE ANIMALS.

THIS IS WHY IT IS CALLED A DRUM… 'THE SOUND OF NATURE'."

Albuquerque, New Mexico ~ 10/98