The drum is the heartbeat and central pulse of the powwow. There are always one or several groups of
singers who sing as they beat in unison a rhythm on a large drum. Each group of singers is called a drum
(usually 5-10 members or entire families). Each drum has a lead singer and a "second" who repeats the
lead line on a different or similar key (Roberts 192:125). The drum or drums are positioned around the
edge (under the arbor when outdoors) of the dance arena. The singers are very important to the structure
of the powwow because they must know several types of songs for all the different dances, honorings and
events that take place. It is common for participants and visitors to cluster around a good drum,
sometimes recording the songs. Good drums are in demand for powwows and become quite popular. Many make
professional recordings that are sold at powwows and other Indian venues (Ancona 1993:14).
Drums take turns and often a certain drum is requested for a particular song. People who make a request
for a drum are expected to pay the drum group a small sum of money. Usually drummers are men, but women
may also drum and sometimes an all women's drum group is seen. Women are commonly seen standing behind
the drum singing along with the group. Some tribal groups believe that the gift of drumming was only for
men. Drums usually receive financial assistance from the powwow committees to help pay for traveling
expenses for visiting drums. At a powwow the drums play when the emcee calls their name out. The host
drum is number one and sits closest to the announcer's stand (Braine 1995:26).
Drum groups play several different kinds of songs, some of which are very old and traditional. Each drum
has it's own style, such as Nothern or Southern. Northern singing is a higher pitch than Southern. Songs
are sung four times, a sacred number in Indian tradition. Most songs have no actual words but are
syllables that carry the melody and the meaning of the song. These syllables are called vocables. Some
songs are sung in English or Native languages (Braine 1995:28).
