Caring for your Drum
Your drum carries with it the spirit of
the animals and plants it has been crafted from.
Treat it with respect.
Your drum has been made from natural hide and wood. This makes it very
sensitive to heat and moisture; therefore, it will expand and contract due to
weather conditions. Do not expose it to extreme heat or sudden temperature
changes. Doing so may cause the hide to crack or tear.
Cold weather and moisture will cause the drum to go flat and lose its tone.
This can be corrected with heat. Direct sunlight is best but you can also warm
it by propping it up next to a fire or using a hairdryer blown against the
back. Always remember, if the heat is too much for you then it’s too much for
the drum.
If the drum gets too tight applying a very small amount of water to the back
will loosen it. A spray bottle works well for this; otherwise, a small amount
of water may be lightly rubbed in with the fingers. Always use caution when
adjusting your drum and do a little at a time.
The hide used for your drum has its own natural oils and does not need to be
oiled.
When storing your Drum it is best to do so in a
respectful way.
Consider storing your drum with
sweetgrass or other sacred herbs.
"Lots of people hardly ever feel real soil under their
feet, see plants grow except in flower pots, or get far enough beyond the
street light to catch the enchantment of a night sky studded with stars. When
people live far from scenes of the Great Spirit's making, it's easy for them to
forget His laws."
Tatanga Mani (Walking Buffalo), STONEY
