WATER DRUMS
Water drums are a category of membranophone characterized by the filling of the drum chamber with some amount ofwater to create a unique sound. Used in Iroquois, Navajo, Cherokee, Creek, and Apache music,[1] water drums are common in Native American music, and also found in African and Southeast Asian music.
They are used today both ceremonially and in traditional Longhouse social dances and are the traditional drum for the Huron/Wendat/Wyandot and Iroquois/Haudenosaune tribes.[citation needed] The Ojibwa, Ottawa and Pottawatomii called them midegwakikoon,[2][3] with "Mide" referring to Midewiwin.
The water drum is considered the most sacred of all drums, is almost always the property of religious and ceremonial persons, and has status as a person, not as an object.
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They are used today both ceremonially and in traditional Longhouse social dances and are the traditional drum for the Huron/Wendat/Wyandot and Iroquois/Haudenosaune tribes.[citation needed] The Ojibwa, Ottawa and Pottawatomii called them midegwakikoon,[2][3] with "Mide" referring to Midewiwin.
The water drum is considered the most sacred of all drums, is almost always the property of religious and ceremonial persons, and has status as a person, not as an object.
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Uploaded on Dec 18, 2010-The making of a Haudenosaunee water drum
Anishinabe Water Drum
The “mitig’wakik,” Mide or water drum, was a ceremonial drum. It is a wooden kettle drum made by hollowing out a 16 inch long basswood log. The wood is charred and scraped until a cylinder is formed. A thin wooden disk with a hole plug is fit into the lower end. Before each use a few inches of water is poured into the drum and a wet 18 inch heavily tanned deer skin hide is stretched over the drum. A willow hoop secures the hide. The drum was placed by the fire to tighten the head. This drum was used by a high ranking member of the Midewiwin Grand Medicine Society and was decorated by the owner depending upon his rank within the lodge. These drums can be heard from long distances and were important messengers of the Mide hierarchy.
The “mitig’wakik,” Mide or water drum, was a ceremonial drum. It is a wooden kettle drum made by hollowing out a 16 inch long basswood log. The wood is charred and scraped until a cylinder is formed. A thin wooden disk with a hole plug is fit into the lower end. Before each use a few inches of water is poured into the drum and a wet 18 inch heavily tanned deer skin hide is stretched over the drum. A willow hoop secures the hide. The drum was placed by the fire to tighten the head. This drum was used by a high ranking member of the Midewiwin Grand Medicine Society and was decorated by the owner depending upon his rank within the lodge. These drums can be heard from long distances and were important messengers of the Mide hierarchy.
The Youth copying and trying out old songs-a new generation of musicians
Primeaux and Mike- Contemporary Artist and world harmonizers