By the Buffalo

The drum is a merging of earth and spirit between self and soul.

More than ten years have passed since I made my first buffalo drum. I had much to learn. Over time and with experience I have become an accomplished drum maker. I am not a factory and do not mass produce my drums but occasionally have some finished drums ready to sell. Each buffalo drum is made with prayer and respect for the spirits. I utilize recycled materials whenever possible and use only methods that do not harm the environment. No buffalo is taken for the sole purpose of drum making. When a buffalo needs to be culled from the herd it is good to know that every usable part of that animal is used in a good way. The hides I use are "off season" hides that are not suitable for soft tanning but are ideal for drum making. Often times these hides are ground up as pet food or thrown into a landfill. I begin with "green" buffalo hides and tan my own buffalo rawhide drum heads. I feel as if I am honoring the buffalo by giving it's spirit a voice that will live on in this world. I also hand craft all my frames (or hoops) from wonderful hard woods (oak, maple, poplar, cherry) that are (rescued) from becoming animal bedding or firewood. When asked to make a drum I like to become aquainted with the person who has asked. In this way they can be in my thoughts and prayers during the drums birth.