Taos Pueblo Natural Wood Drum with Beater

This Taos Pueblo vintage drum remains in its original, unpainted state. While adding colorful images, designs, and patterns to drums can be appealing, the true beauty often shines through best when left unadorned. This drum features a light tan color on both the top and bottom, crafted from cowhide, with brown leather lacing in between. Included is a drum beater, made from a tree branch and wrapped in light tan leather. Traditionally, Taos Pueblo drums are unpainted, whereas Cochiti Pueblo drums are known for their colorful designs.

Both painted and unpainted drums of various sizes are integral to pueblo ceremonies. Pueblos without a drum maker often procure drums through purchase or trade from other pueblos renowned for their drum-making skills. Pueblo songs typically start slowly and build to a climax. At a certain point in the song, the drum is flipped over to achieve a higher beat, lifting the dancers and giving them the impetus to continue dancing.

TAG: Taos Pueblo, Tuah-Tah