About Our Hides
What are the properties of Deer drums?
Deer relates to the heart chakra, bringing the energy of love and circulation. It is a very feminine feeling hide, I see it as a young maiden just setting out on life. It has lots of harmonics and the most sustain (how long the sound lasts). It is susceptible to weather changes as it tends to absorb moisture from the air, so it requires a little more work to bring the tone up in wet conditions. It varies in color from pale cream to brown. Many varieties of deer cannot be shipped outside the US without an expensive veterinary certificate, so I use Red Stag Deer, which is native to Europe (where it is known as a Hart) and farmed in the US for food.
What are the qualities of horse drums?
Horse resonates with the 3rd eye chakra and is especially useful in journeying and meditation. It has superior harmonics. Thinner horse drums can be susceptible to moisture, but not as much as deer. It varies in color from golden brown to dark chocolate brown. It can be exported freely.
What are the qualities of Elk drums?
Elk resonates with the solar plexus chakra, involving will and stamina. It is a masculine feeling hide, it feels to me like a young warrior who has your back. It has the best base tone, but does not offer as much in sustain or harmonics. It handles weather pretty well, but thinner hides can be affected by moisture. It varies in color from cream to brown, and frequently has translucent sections. It always requires a veterinary certificate for exporting outside the US.
What are the qualities of Moose drums?
Moose, sometimes known as Swedish Elk depending on its source, resonates with the womb chakra, bringing deep emotional healing. It is also a feminine hide, and reminds me of a grandmother who takes you into her lap and makes you feel that everything is going to be okay. Moose drums resonate well with women who are dealing with the transition from Mother to Crone. The drums have a deep sound, with slight harmonics and resonance. Very thick moose drums can be thumpy. Moose does very well in damp weather. Hides are medium brown, frequently with a honey color. It can be exported freely.
What are the qualities of Buffalo drums?
Buffalo (American Bison) resonates with the zero or grounding chakra. It is very sacred to many Native Americans, representing abundance and having the power to take prayers to the creator, All Buffalo drums I make are made with a four directions medicine wheel handle in honor of the ancestors on this land. Buffalo is a masculine hide, and reminds me of a crusty old grandfather who will tell you exactly what you need to hear instead of what you want to hear. Buffalo is a very thick hide, and tends to be quite thumpy, with no real harmonics or resonance. It handles weather extremely well, and is the hide of choice for sweat lodges. Buffalo hide is medium to dark brown. It cannot be exported without a veterinary certificate.
What are the qualities of Reindeer drums?
Reindeer is imported from Finland, where it is herded and used for food. In my judgment it resonates with the heart chakra, like other members of the deer family, but in a more primal and passionate way. It represents abundance to the people of Northern Europe, and helps with overcoming adversity when making personal journeys of discovery. I love making my European style drums from Reindeer. The sound is primal and wild and brings to mind drumming around the fire in ancient times. Both male and female reindeer have antlers, and I do not feel the hide to be either masculine or feminine. Though it is a thin hide, reindeer drums are extremely resilient to weather changes. The hide is a light cream color. They can be freely exported.