Drums

Northwest Coast Drums

Northwest Coast Alaska Natives have been playing drums for thousands of years. Today, the instrument continues to play a large role in the culture of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples of Southeast Alaska.

The music of the indigenous people of the Northwest Coast region is largely associated with ceremony and feast-giveaways, known as potlatches. A potlatch serves as a means to aid in maintaining social order by regulating the ownership of land, title, ancestral names, and music, as well as to observe life cycle changes—birth,        Lovebird drum by Cindy Beck, Haida

puberty, marriage and death. The transmission of honor associated with these events is traditionally marked by ceremonial dances accompanied by proprietary songs. Cultural restrictions surrounding the ownership of songs and dances have remained intact into the twenty-first century, albeit with some leniency to accommodate for varying degrees of observance of those traditional customs and practices.

A customary element to the music of the Northwest Coast is the beat of the drum and drummers are known to congregate and play individual hand drums together. As in other regions, the drum is used to begin and to mark certain points within a song. Some indigenous people of the Northwest Coast utilize the drum to indicate the presence of spirits. For example, a trembling effect created by rapidly striking the drumhead may be perceived as an audible manifestation of a spirit being’s presence. Extra-musical effects provided by whistles, rattles, and specific vocals may also be associated with the presence of spirit beings.

Drums have been used by shamans, powerful individuals who have the ability to move in the liminal space between this world and others, to communicate with spirit guides. Many of the musical instruments used on the Northwest Coast can be associated with shamanic practice. Often, a physical representation of a shaman’s spirit guide is carved in the form of a rattle or whistle, as an effigy used to invoke the spirit’s power.

Arctic Spirit Gallery offers a unique collection of Northwest Coast handmade drums crafted by Alaska Native artists. Featuring both contemporary and traditional formline designs, these drums reflect the rich cultural heritage and storytelling traditions of the local indigenous communities. Each drum is a unique work of art, embodying the spirit and craftsmanship passed down through generations.

Arctic Spirit Gallery recommends storing and displaying drums in an area where there is not constant sunlight or a heat source directly on the drum. Natural skins adjust to various degrees of temperatures.  The extreme, constant heat may ruin the drum, as it dries it out too much causing it to split.  The best display manner is at room temperature in a well-lit area away from direct sunlight or heat. The drums have withstood various temperature changes in their creation and can move from outside, if used as a dance drum, back to an inside display place.