New Mexico
Southwest / Cochiti

Wood, cowhide, pigment
Early 20th century
Height: 9 in, Diameter: 13.5 in
Membranophone – Struck Membranophone 

The body of this vintage Cochiti Pueblo drum is handcrafted from  a hollowed tree trunk and painted in alternating colors of blue and red with black lines separating the body paint. The two drumheads are not painted but left in their natural state.  The tension ropes holding the heads on are made of twisted leather strips. When played for ceremonies or celebrations, drums are used to accompany chanting and dancing.  They also suggest the thunder that comes with rain.  Pueblo songs usually start slowly and then go to a faster beat/pulse.  At a certain point in the song, the drum is flipped over to achieve a higher pitched beat.  This lifts the dancers and gives them the impetus to continue dancing.

Cochiti is a Keresan-speaking Pueblo located 55 miles north of Albuquerque. This Pueblo Drum was made by Johnny Lone Pine (COA) during the early 20^th century.