Viking Drum Yggdrasil, The tree of life 1407

A drum was probably one of the first instruments that was used all over the world, including in Scandinavia. Scientists believe that a Viking drum had a close resemblance to the shaman drums of the Sámi people. The process of drum making was probably similar where Viking craftsmen created a ring shaped wooden hoop and over it, they stretched a drumhead made of animal skin. The drumhead was then decorated with paintings, symbols or other meaningful elements.

In the footsteps of ancient drum makers, we create our Viking drums using similar methods and decorating the drum with symbols that were important to the Vikings, like Yggdrasil. It means “The Tree of Life” and it was a sacred tree in the Norse cosmology and it is mentioned also in the Northern shamanic lore. It branches spread from heaven to the underworld connecting Nine worlds and everything within.

The drum has a nice, deep and vibrating sound that takes you back in time of myths and legends.

If you are looking for a smaller drum that is suitable specially for children or travelling, check out our S size drums. If you like to use the drum in a more professional way (e.g. musician), please have a look at the selection of our L size drums.

Please note that our viking drum is great for playing but if the symbols are scratched or scraped deliberately, the might wear off.

How to care for your new drum

• 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.

Colouring/painting

The decoration on the drumhead has been made using silk printing. If you liked to add your own symbols or colour, you can use acrylic- or oil colours (please test first on a small area). Our drums are greased once the drumhead is attached, so that it does not rip. Therefore, it would be good to avoid painting straightaway after you have received the drum. If you have any concerns regarding painting the drum, please contact us.

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 things 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.