May 26

" The drum is the most important tool for the shaman and takes many different forms throughout Mongolia and Siberia. All are one-sided hand-held drums, usually sixty centimeters or more in diameter, and are used to drive the singing and dancing that are part of most ceremonies. The hoop of the drum is usually between five and ten centimeters wide and is peeled from a living tree. Many Siberian drums are not exactly round, but slightly oval in shape. The grip of the drum usually has one of two forms. One is a simple cross of rawhide bands. The more common type is a wooden cross and wires strung between the grip and the rim and adorned with metal pendants that rattle when the drum is shaken or struck. These pendants are visualized by some shamans as spiritual arrows that can be sent against enemies. The head of the drum is usually made from either goat or deer hide, because the thin skin gives the drum a good sound. The inside and outside of the drum may be painted with symbols that are significant to the shaman. In Inner Mongolia some shamans use a slightly different drum, about thirty centimeters in diameter, with a handle attached to the bottom of the hoop (like a mirror handle). In addition to its use as a musical instrument, the drum is sometimes used in healing. It will be rubbed against the shaman's chest in order to absorb windhorse and then placed on a patient so that the energy enters the body.

Drumsticks are rather short, about twenty centimeters long, but rather thick and slightly spoon shaped. The striking surface is usually covered with some sort of fur. The backside of the stick has a wire strung with about twenty washerlike pendants that will rattle while the shaman is drumming. This kind of stick can also be used as a rattle. The drum may also be shaken to rattle the pendants inside the band." I promise to add more tomorrow...


	Through My Eyes Monday May 26 ( The shamans drum!) " The drum is the most important tool for the shaman and takes many different forms throughout Mongolia and Siberia. All are one-sided hand-held drums, usually sixty centimeters or more in diameter, and are used to drive the singing and dancing that are part of most ceremonies. The hoop of the drum is usually between five and ten centimeters wide and is peeled from a living tree. Many Siberian drums are not exactly round, but slightly oval in shape. The grip of the drum usually has one of two forms. One is a simple cross of rawhide bands. The more common type is a wooden cross and wires strung between the grip and the rim and adorned with metal pendants that rattle when the drum is shaken or struck. These pendants are visualized by some shamans as spiritual arrows that can be sent against enemies. The head of the drum is usually made from either goat or deer hide, because the thin skin gives the drum a good sound. The inside and outside of the drum may be painted with symbols that are significant to the shaman. In Inner Mongolia some shamans use a slightly different drum, about thirty centimeters in diameter, with a handle attached to the bottom of the hoop (like a mirror handle). In addition to its use as a musical instrument, the drum is sometimes used in healing. It will be rubbed against the shaman's chest in order to absorb windhorse and then placed on a patient so that the energy enters the body. Drumsticks are rather short, about twenty centimeters long, but rather thick and slightly spoon shaped. The striking surface is usually covered with some sort of fur. The backside of the stick has a wire strung with about twenty washerlike pendants that will rattle while the shaman is drumming. This kind of stick can also be used as a rattle. The drum may also be shaken to rattle the pendants inside the band." I promise to add more tomorrow... Through my eyes * courtesy of Sarangerel in her book Riding Windhorses