medicine drum

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June 30, 2026

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The term "medicine drum" refers to a type of frame drum that has been converted into a medicine drum by adding a rattling device. These drums are often used in spiritual or ceremonial contexts.1

Drums, classified as membranophones, produce sound when a stretched membrane is struck or rubbed. Native American cultures, for instance, utilize various drums, including single-headed, double-headed, and kettledrums, often imbuing them with symbolic and spiritual significance. These instruments can be used in healing rituals, ceremonies, and to accompany dances or songs. The construction and use of these drums can involve specific rituals and respectful treatment, reflecting their sacred nature.2314

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percussion instrument
Membranophones
…drum is converted into a medicine drum. The Inuit frame drum, a shaman’s instrument, is distributed over Greenland, northern Siberia, North America, and among the Sami of northern Scandinavia; it differs from other frame drums in that it has a fixed handle and is struck on the hoop, not on…
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…drum is converted into a medicine drum. The Inuit frame drum, a shaman’s instrument, is distributed over Greenland, northern Siberia, North America, and among the Sami of northern Scandinavia; it differs from other frame drums in that it has a fixed handle and is struck on the hoop, not on…
Read More