The Native American Drum
Since the drum is often the only instrument used in our sacred rites, you should be informed why it is especially sacred and important to us. It is because the round form of the drum represents the whole universe, and its' steady strong beat is the pulse, the heart, throbbing at the center of the universe.
It is as the voice of WAKAN-TANKA, the Great Spirit and this sound stirs us and helps us to understand the mystery and power of all things. We should, also, understand that all things are works of the Great Spirit. We should know that he is within all four legged animals, the two legged and the winged peoples; and even more important, we should understand that He is above all these things.
When we do understand all this in our hearts, then we will love and know the Great Spirit and we will act and live as the Great Spirit intends.
There are other things also, that we the siouan dialect speaking people hold sacred, the pipe given to us by White Buffalo Cow Woman and the great buffalo. The buffalo gives up its' life so that we can have food from the meat, clothing and shelter from the tanned hides, tools made from the bones and cooking utensils and waterproof packaging for preserved foods.
The pipe, which carries all our cries and prayers to Wakan-Tanka who watches over us all. Behold the pipe, always remember how sacred it is, and treat it as such for it will take you to the end. For as long as the pipe is used, the people will live; but as soon as the pipe is forgotten, the people will be without a center and they will perish.
Black Elk, Oglala, 1862 - 1950