Thunderbird Drum

Hand drums have been used by many people since the 1800's.  In the 1800's Natives used the drum for fasting, prayers, to bring good luck for hunting parties, games, dancing, love songs, treating the sick, and to defy death. Today, it's mostly used to talk to the Creator and for singing. Some people still use drums the old way. People use them in ceremonies, lodges, and at pow-wows. They have competitions at pow-wows for fun, and they even sing for round dances, 49ers, and two-steps. In the old days, hand drums were made out of hollow logs, raw hide, and sinew. Today most people still make them in the traditional way. Some people don't use a hollow log. They cheat a little, using a part cut off a barrel.  Most people still use the hand drum the same way. Listen to Nicholas

Music and Dance

Don Perrot February 1999

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