42"  Buffalo Thunder Drum 

I call these large ones "Buffalo Thunder".  When played softly, they make a sound reminicent of distant thunder. 

 It was reported by the Lewis and Clark expedition that the passage of an indigenous bison herd made sound

 much like the sound of thunder.  And could take up to three days. 

Oftentimes, when I am playing these drums, I imagine the Spirit Bison Herd coming from the clouds in the sky. 

Leopold Vista overlooking the Gila Wilderness of Southwest New Mexico.

Buffalo Thunder requires about thirty hours labor spread out over about a two week time span including preparation of the hides.  I purchase the hides from packing firm here in Colorado.  I process the hides myself.  That is why they have more hair left on them.  The frames are constructed of sections of redwood cut and glued together and then sanded.  I find the redwood to be light weight and durable.  I use one hide each on the top and the bottom.  The drum heads being taken from the center of the hide.  The hide from bison is much different than that of cattle.  Where cattle are fairly uniform in thickness across the back, bison have areas of differing thickness.  This allows the drum to have different tones when played.

          From the belly and the smaller hides, I build the Shaman's Drum with the double sided drum typically coming from the rump of the bison hide.  It is small to fit the lap.  And is durable and resistant to climate change.  Such as in the Sweatlodge Purification Ceremony.  The single sided drums work well for the Shamanic Drumming Journey.   These I create with thirteen sections of cedar wood glued together and sanded.  Thirteen is in honor of the Grandmothers.The back is then tied with seven laces to honor the directions.  I like thirteen to seventeen inch diameter.

Price range for these drums is $70.00 to $200.00.  Depending on size,and sound.

Drying the hides.  The hide tightens as it dries.  This is why some drum frames warp and break.

"My back yard."

This is a typical inventory of drums on hand. 

These smaller ones are 13" to 17" in diameter. 

With the Thunder Drums being from 32" up 44" in diameter. 

No two drums are the same. 

 Each has individual characteristics. 

 I do my best to match a drum to the person it is going to.

And the climate in which they live.

Please feel free to contact me with any details to best fulfill your needs.

Wholesale orders are welcome.