Online Drum Making: A Sacred Workshop

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Join Us in Creating Your Own Sacred Drum on Sunday May 18th at 10am Pacific Time! Everyone is welcome. 

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Making your own hand drum is a deeply spiritual and transformative experience. In many Native American traditions, the drum is more than just an instrument—it is a living, breathing extension of your spirit, a powerful tool for healing, ceremony, and connection to the heartbeat of the Earth. The process of crafting your own drum is a sacred journey, and I am honored to guide you through it.

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Honoring Tradition

In the Mono tradition, the first creation you make is meant to be given away as an offering, a gesture of gratitude and humility. If this is your first drum, I encourage you to honor this practice by making something else—a friendship bracelet, a painting, a small drum beater, or anything from the heart—to gift to someone. Know that whatever you create is perfect just as it is, infused with your unique spirit and intention.

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Workshop Overview

This will be a two-day immersive experience designed to help you not only craft your drum but also connect with its sacred purpose. Here’s what to expect:

• Day 1 (4-5 hours): The drum-making process begins! We’ll take breaks and move through each step with care and mindfulness.

• Day 2 (2 hours): We’ll come together to bless our drums, learn traditional songs, and share the energy of our new creations. We will choose the second date after the initial drum making. 

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It would be ideal if you can be outside, however you can make it indoor, you'll just need a lot of towels and a space where you can work with a fragrant wet drum. 

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Honoring My Teachers

I would not be able to share this sacred practice without acknowledging the incredible teachers who have guided me:

• Cecil Dick Jr. (Mono Tribe, Yosemite, CA): A bear dancer, water pourer, and master drum maker. Cecil carries the powerful medicine of the bear and taught me how to make my 18-inch buffalo drum. His teachings are embedded in this workshop.

• Abuela Xochiquetzalli (Mexica & Mayan): A renowned drum maker, artist, and sun and moon dancer. She gifted me the knowledge to craft my bear drum.

• Abuela Silvia Mayhuel, Nana Sebestania, & Nana Thomasa (Mayan & Mexica): These wise elders instilled in me a deep reverence for integrity and love in all sacred crafts and creations.

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What You’ll Need

To prepare for this powerful experience, gather the following materials:

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Sacred Space & Smudging Tools

• Dried Sage Leaves (loose or bundled)

• Abalone Shell or incense burner (to hold charcoal and sage)

• Charcoal Disc (quick-lighting or natural)

• Tongs or Tweezers (to handle the charcoal)

• Lighter or Matches

• Sand or Ash (optional, for insulation in the shell)

• Candle (to honor the fire)

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Here is an example of a smudging kit. 

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Drum-Making Supplies

• Bucket of water (to submerge the hide)

• Bowl of water

• Wood carving knife

• Towels

• Drum Kit – Make sure your kit includes the drum hoop, rawhide, lacing, and drum beater.

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Recommended Vendors

I highly recommend sourcing your drum-making kit from ethical vendors who honor the sacredness of these materials:

• I highly recommend, Cedar Mountain Drums: Offers drum kits in deer, buffalo, elk, and horse. The kit includes a beater. https://cedarmountaindrums.com/product/hoop-drum-kits/

• Tribal Spirit Music: A vendor recommended by Cecil, specializing in hand drum kits. https://tribalspirit.com/deer-hide-hand-drum-kit/

Choosing the Right Drum Size

Your drum size is a personal choice, but here’s what I’ve learned from experience:

• 18” – Powerful sound but heavier

• 16” – Deep, resonant tone, slightly more manageable

• 14” – Balanced in size and sound (this is the size I’ll be making this time!)

• 12” – Lighter and easier to carry

• 10” – Very small and portable, but may lack depth

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No matter which size you choose, your drum will carry the energy and intention you put into it, making it a sacred ally in your spiritual path.

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This is more than a class—it’s a rite of passage. You are weaving your energy, your prayers, and your heartbeat into the drum, aligning yourself with ancient rhythms and traditions. Whether this is your first drum or one of many, it will hold the power of your journey. I cannot wait to create alongside you and witness the birth of these sacred instruments!

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Are you ready to awaken the spirit of your drum? Let’s begin!

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Final note: 

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In Native American ideology, reciprocity is a core value, deeply tied to the principle of balance and respect for the interconnectedness of all things. It teaches that for every gift or act of kindness received, it is essential to give something in return, maintaining a harmonious flow of energy. This exchange is not just about material items but about honoring relationships and ensuring that energy remains balanced, rather than one-sided.

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While I am not charging for my time and work, it is customary within my tradition to offer an energy exchange, often symbolized by tobacco, which is considered sacred in many Native American cultures. It is a gesture of respect, honoring the sacred bond between us. Please consider offering something in return, whether it’s words of kindness and love, a heartfelt review on Google, or a physical token such as tobacco wrapped in red cloth, flowers, or even something you create with your own hands. Your gesture will help maintain the flow of positive energy and honor the spiritual exchange we are sharing.

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Here is a sneak peak at how my last in person retreat went with our drum making: 

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