Nez Perce Reservation, Idaho
Northwest Plateau / Nimi’ipuu (Nez Perce) People

Elk hide and hair, cottonwood
Mid-20th century
Height: 20 in; Diameter: 19 in
Membranophone – Directly Struck – Drum

A large Nimi’ipuu (Nez Perce) drum used to accompany songs used in ceremonies and celebrations.  These events may include the changing of seasons, births, deaths, puberty, marriage, and harvest.  This Plateau drum was collected on the Nez Perce Reservation in north-central Idaho, in 1960.  It is made of cottonwood and is completely covered in elk hide that still retains the hair.  The hide only drumheads on both ends and the covered sides of the drum are secured by twisted/braided leather strips.  Though it is double headed with tension rope, only one head would be played with a mallet (stick with cushioned head).

The name Nez Perce comes from a French word meaning “pierced nose” and was given to them by early trappers who mistaken them for some other tribe, as the Nimi’ipuu did not pierce their noses. They called themselves Nimi’ipuu which means “the people,” and that term is again returning to use.