Sami Drum Reindeer s-size 2354 (in a gift box)

The reindeer has been the foundation of life and a sacred animal for the peoples of Lapland throughout the ages, enabling survival in the harsh conditions of the North. It provided food, clothing and the means of transport, and respect for it was reflected in many traditions.

The Sámi drum is a beautiful and mystical instrument with a long history. Finnish shamans have used the drum in their healing work or when journeying to the otherworld to seek advice from their ancestors.

Rumpu-ukko’s small-sized Sámi drum makes an excellent souvenir due to its compact size and it also sounds beautiful, whilst bringing a mystical atmosphere to interior décor.

If you enjoy playing and want a proper sound even for playing with musical notation, take a look at Rumpu-ukko’s larger medium or large-sized Sámi drums.

A felt-headed beater is included in the price of the Sámi drum.

Care & instructions:

Shaman drum is a carefree instrument if you remember a few basic things:

• use grease or some leather conditioner couple times a year
• keep the drum for example on the wall but not directly in the sunlight or near a heater (strong air conditioning can also dry the drum)
• don’t leave the drum in a hot car during the summer
• The drum doesn’t like dry air. The risk is that the drumhead becomes too tight causing it to rip (usually really cold weather equals dry air)
• instructions for caring for the drum are included in the package.

Tuning

The drum is very sensitive to the air humidity loosening it in a moist weather and tightening it in a dry weather. This affects the sound as well.

If your drum is too loose, you can dry it e.g. in the sunlight or with a hair dryer.

If your drum is too tight, you can spray water on the skin or wipe it with the moist cloth. The drumhead doesn’t respond immediately so wait a couple of minutes.

Watch our video and learn more about tuning (third video from the top).

Dyeing/painting

The picture on the drumhead has been hand-drawn. If you liked to add your own symbols or colour, you can use acrylic- or oil colours (please test first on a small area). You can also attach talismans on the frame or carve symbols to it. The drumhead is greased straight after we have attached it to the frame, so that it does not rip. If you have concerns regarding adding paint on the skin, please contact us to check whether the skin is suitable for painting.

The frame is made of birch plywood which is very suitable for carving your own symbols or adding some paint. You could also decorate your frame with different kind of talismans, feathers, pearls and other elements of your liking.

Blessing the drum

Blessing a drum is an old tradition in which the energies of the drum and the owner merge and the drum becomes your own. Though, blessing is recommended, it is not necessary, you can still use the drum without doing it. Read more about shamanism.