A Cherokee buffalo drum is made from buffalo rawhide.
The buffalo drum was not only covered with buffalo hide but was also used in a ceremonial dance conducted at dusk before the buffalo hunt, according to Thomas E. Mails in his book, "The Cherokee People". The Cherokee dance was a lullaby of sorts, thanking the buffalo for what they were about to provide for the hunter and promising the herd that only what was needed would be taken. A Cherokee buffalo drum is an instrument that may be made today, using traditional materials and methods.
Instructions
1. Place hide glue pellets in a hide glue pot or can sitting in a potful of water. Bring the water to a boil to melt the pellets to a milky consistency, adding water as needed.
2. Stretch steamed cedar strips around the 12-inch frame. Join the ends with a butt joint.
3. Cut any excess with cut saw. Glue the ends with hide glue and clamp them to the circular frame.
4. Add successive steamed cedar strips, gluing them with hide glue to form a laminated 12-inch circle. Glue, clamp and allow each strip to dry before adding the next one.
5. Stretch and hand-scrape raw buffalo hide. Cut the drum head to cover the frame with 1-inch overlap on the back. Use any excess hide to cut rawhide lacing.
6. Finish the frame with linseed oil or leave the natural finish. Let it dry and sand lightly between coats if applying oil.
7. The buffalo drum is used in ceremonial dance.
Lace the drum head to the frame hoop in a traditional north, south east, west pattern to form a handhold for drumming. Keep the drum head supple with regular applications of rawhide conditioner.
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