Oklahoma
Great Plains / Kiowa

Wood, buffalo hide, pigment
Mid 20th century
Diameter: 30 in
Membranophone – Struck Membranophone 

This is a Kiowa pow wow dance drum from Oklahoma.  The two-sided frame (large hoop) drum rests on a wooden folding stand and is painted red, matching the painted sides of the drum’s circular form of thick bounded wooden strips.  On the playing buffalo hide side of the drum are eight black painted deer hoof prints surrounding the red dot (sun) in the center.  An additional strip of rawhide (leather) surrounds the top edge of the drumhead and is secured with metal tacks.  The two heads are laced together by rawhide thongs.  A rawhide handle is also attached.

At the pow wow, music is a central feature.  The pow wow drum is played by men (often 8 or more) forming a circle around the drum.  These men singing along with the beat of the drum, form the song that is often sung in their Native American language.

In April, 1985, on a spring break vacation trip with my family, we started exploring small towns in Oklahoma.  First visiting and asking questions at the tribe cultural centers, as Oklahoma does not have reservations like many western states.   Upon one inquiry I was directed to the rather small town of Kiowa, Oklahoma, where a lady named “Snoopy” resided.  Her father, who had passed away, was known by the Kiowa as a master drum maker.   Here with the assistance of my husband and her husband (who did not speak any English), we were able to pass this drum made by her father, ceremonially from her family to mine.