Monthly Archives: December 2008

Because I love southwest decorating, I recently added ceremonial drums as part of the rustic, southwest decor in my new home. I was so happy with the beautiful, rustic feel that the Native American drums brought to my home, that I started learning about the history and the influential role they play in tribal cultures.

If you are like me, you have probably seen how significant ceremonial drums are to the Native culture but do not understand their significance in Native ceremonies or how exactly they are used. Each tribe is unique in how they use ceremonial drums but one similarity between each tribe is that the Native drums are very symbolic and part of the main focus of the ceremony.

Throughout my research, I have come to find that learning about these drums truly gives you a great appreciation of the Native American culture and their customs. As you begin learning about ceremonial drums, you will find it very intriguing that the Native Americans consider the ceremonial drum to be sacred.

They are usually used in powwows, Shamanic ceremonies and honor ceremonies to call on the Spirits and to connect with their creator. It is believed that each drum has a spirit and that the drum beat signifies the heart beat of Mother Nature. Since the drum is believed to connect the people with the spirit world and direct the a healer in helping his people, you will find that they are commonly used by the healers to enter the mind state, known as the Shamanic journey, needed to connect with the Spirits.

Also, as you research the importance of ceremonial drums in modern culture, you will see that Native Indian drums play a significant role in the livelihood of native tribes such as the Tarahumara. Making and selling these rustic style drums allows them to earn a living, by selling and trading their cultural hand crafts, and helps them disperse the knowledge and traditions of their culture to those who purchase them.

The drum making knowledge, passed on from generation to generation in these tribes, teaches the drum makers how to make durable and long-lasting ceremonial drums with elements from the Earth and the environment around them such as pine wood and natural rawhide.

Today, American Indian drums are not only used in Indian ceremonies such as Native American drum groups and as Indian musical instruments, but they are also gaining popularity as pieces of decorative art, instruments used in school music classes and even as canvases for Native American art projects and southwestern paintings. Some types of ceremonial drums are also used as southwest style furniture and Native American decor, such as the larger powwow drums and pedestal drums that are used as rustic tables.

Today, it is very easy to buy these unique Native American ceremonial drums online and in stores that sell southwestern, western and rustic home decor. However you choose to use your ceremonial drum, whether for drumming groups or in home decorating, you will definitely be drawn to the rustic charm and western style of ceremonial drums.

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

A Southwest table runner is an excellent way to enhance that one-of-a-kind western, rustic or Native American style in your home decorating. Because of their growing popularity, many designers are choosing to buy their southwest table runner online. Used as western accents and also southwestern accessories, in kitchens or when decorating a cabin or log home with a rustic or western theme, southwestern table runners give your home character and a definite authentic Native American look.

When buying American Indian style table runners, you will find a large selection making it easy to buy a western table runner and you will definitely want to add a few of the most popular and sought-after runners or table rugs in your home decor. These table runners have a long history that has grown over time and can truly be considered as pieces of art.

Among the most popular southwestern and western table runners, in Indian patterns, each different runner uses a combination of beautiful colors and characters, symbolizing spiritual or historic events and a variation of colors and designs.

Not only is a southwest table runner known for its great beauty, but the skill and hard work needed in making Native table runners is also greatly appreciated. The makers of hand woven table runners are highly skilled and start the runner making process by kneeling in front of a vertical wooden-framed loom. The designs are then placed by using a shuttle to weave a variety of colored yarn together, making geometric characters and designs.

In the beginning, Navajo rugs as well as those of some other Southwest Indian tribes were weaved of hand spun cotton thread. However, after the wool of domestic sheep was introduced to the area by the Spanish settlers, the people mainly used wool to weave their colorful rugs, table runners and other traditional weaving.

Today, many of the modern southwest table runners are made in areas where Spanish and Native American histories have melded together to create unique designs. Southwestern table runners, with their warm earth tone colors and unique southwestern designs make them a great choice for rustic home decorating.

If you are searching for great southwestern decor, you will most likely purchase from American companies or directly from Native American weavers. Purchasing western table runners from Navajo or other American Indian tribes not only allows you the satisfaction of owning a southwest table runner that is woven by Native Americans but also helps to support the Native American heritage of rug weaving, and the people who themselves sell their rugs, runners, and Native American art.

The table runner you choose will greatly depend on what your tastes are and what kind of decorating you decide on. You will find that a southwest table runner is the perfect southwestern accent when combined with rustic or western home decor. Whether you are changing your home decor or decorating an entire house using a southwestern theme, you will find many designs and colors available to choose from. Among these options you will be able to choose from Zapotec runners with no two alike, to southwest table runners with southwestern style.

Designers love hand woven wool table runners because of the rich colors and textures. Whatever your decorating style and whatever your decorating needs, you will no doubt enjoy the richness of color and warmth brought to life in your home by decorating with a southwest table runner.

Craig Chambers is the director of Mission Del Rey and offers free information online about choosing a southwest table runner for rustic decorating. For more information visit http://www.missiondelrey.com