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If you are searching for an inexpensive, rustic decorating idea, try using the beautifully, hand-painted drums made by Native Americans Indians. I was recently looking for an easy and inexpensive way to redecorate my home and give it a rustic, western flare, and started purchasing beautiful American Indian accessories for rustic home decor. I ended up buying two beautiful painted drums that added the perfect rustic look in my home and gave it the rustic feel that I was searching for. The thing I like most about these painted drums is how they portray a true reflection of Indigenous life and work through the paintings.

Perhaps you are like me and truly admire the authentic creativity of Native American art. As you research the origin of these paintings you will be amazed at how the artistic spirit of the American Indians is portrayed in the painted drum. The beautiful hand painted drum heads serve as story book for the expressions and motives of Native life and culture. Because the American Indian drum artists find their inspiration through the work of their ancestors, owning one of these Native drums gives you the unique privilege of being part of many generations of Native American artists. Each new line of Native drum painters creates their work, mingled with the past, to bring forth a truly unique handcrafted piece.

As you learn about the history of painted drums, you will see that animal drums have always been the predominant Native American musical instruments of choice and have a special meaning to these Native people. The medium, with which they choose to paint, is different among drum painters and is a matter of personal preference. Some Indian artists still use hand ground natural dyes, though paint has also become an acceptable medium as traditional drums give way to modern expressions of culture and creativity.

Just like the differences in mediums used to paint the drums, you will also see that drumming traditions differ between the different tribes. Some tribes use large drums while gathered in a circle around it, while the drums of other tribes are unique and personally decorated by the drummer. Now days it is very rare to find true ceremonial drums, but the Native hand drums of the Tarahumara Indians are among the most authentic Native drums created for playing in drumming circles or for southwest home decorating.

Drum painting is truly a beautiful art and an important part of the rich heritage of the Indigenous people and culture. The painted drum has come to identify both the drummer and the tribe, as well as preserve the Indian culture through drawings of nature and legend. If you are drawn to the true values of the American Indians, you will certainly enjoy giving rustic style to your home decor. You can easily find these Native drums online or in stores that sell Indian and western home decor, and bring Native American culture to life in your home with the beautiful art of painted drums.

Craig Chambers is the director of Mission Del Rey and author offering free information online about how to use painted drums for drumming circles and for chic southwestern home decorating. For more information visit http://www.missiondelrey.com

Tags : painted drums, indian drums, native american drums, indian, native, southwestern, powwwow, rustic