Come, share in the spirit of the drum….
All life is rhythmic. We see it in the coming and going of day and night. The ebb and flow of tides. The swaying of trees in the wind. We hear it in the pattern of rain. the repetition of footsteps.
A tradition since 1951
If you are in the Taos area, look for the giant teepees on the Taos Drums grounds located five miles south of Taos Plaza on highway 68. Stop by for a free tour of our drum-making workshop and visit our showroom. You will find the world’s largest selections of Indian drums, and a diverse display of rawhide furnishings, primitive folk art, ethnic crafts and jewelry, and the region’s best selection of Zapotec rugs.
At the foot of The Sangre de Cristo Mountains, in venerable, five-story adobe dwellings, is where the Taos Drum originated. And in the workshops of Taos Drums, native craftsmen from Taos Pueblo continue the age-old tradition of drum making. Every drum is crafted from natural materials and renewable resources over a year-long process. Drum frames are created from wood native to Northern New Mexico-cottonwood, aspen or pine.
All trees are harvested in a sustainable way under conscientious environmental standards. Logs are stripped of bark, hollowed out, cut into sections, then stored in a warehouse and slowly dried to prevent cracking. Dried wood is then leveled, rounded and sanded. Drum heads are made from cow, deer, elk or goat hides that have been thoroughly cleaned and scraped to maintain the highest level sound, appearance and durability.
After soaking the rawhide to make it pliable, the hide is hand scalloped, stretched and secured with rawhide lacing to the frame. Each completed drum has its own distinct voice. The type of wood, the depth and diameter of the frame, the thickness and tightness of the hide, the thickness of the walls, temperature and humidity all effect the tone. The experts at Taos drums can work with you to match the best wood and hide for particular need and climate.
Huge selection of native American art
Over the years, Taos Drums has gained international recognition as the caretaker of the original Taos Drum. While the age old drum making methods continue, Taos Drums has expanded upon the traditional by utilizing the bountiful artistic skills of three distinct cultures of Northern New Mexico inhabitants. An evolving line of products created by Anglo, Hispanic and Native American artisans includes wrought iron lamps, rawhide lampshades, carved chairs and drum tables as well as an elaborate line of painted drums.
Handcrafted drums and lampshades
The beating of the human heart. We respond to rhythm when we sense it-and seek it out when it is not present for it is invariably pleasant. Little wonder that throughout the history of mankind, people from all over the world have prized drums-the instruments of rhythm. Perhaps no other people have attached a greater significance to the spirit of the drum than the Indian tribes of North America.
Now Open!
Tuesday – Saturday 9:30 to 4:30
Closed Sunday & Monday. Call or text for special appointments.