Drums – IEO ART

This post will be about drums. As you know I am journeying with the drum to travel to all the three world, I also paint the surfaces of the drums for the others.

Looking from the Siberian perspective the drum is the most important part of the shaman’s equipment, it should also be included in every family, even if no one of them is a shaman. The drum is not an object, but a living creature, mount and closest helper of the shaman. Revitalizing the drum is a separate ritual. During this rite, sacrifices were made and feasts were shared. Each participant beat the drum for at least a quarter of an hour, at the end it was done by the shaman falling into a long trance by recreating the motives of hunting for the animal from which the drum was made. In some tribes, the drum was blessed with vodka or blood. In the end the drawings were applied to it. These were the signs and symbols that most often represented the tripod of the world, or only the lower and upper world to which the shaman enters during the shamanic state. They add also signs related to the family from which the shaman originated.

Hitting individual drawings brought specific results, e.g. hitting the upper part the shaman invoked power. The symbol of the cross often symbolizes the four sides of the world or the “navel of the world”, showing that the shaman performs rites in the middle of all things. The center is the point where the lines of power converge, because the ritual is the meeting place of opposing powers, thus necessarily becoming the center of the world. The inner side of the drum was also decorated. In this zone, you can often find images of the shaman, his family and animals who protect them. The drum handle often had a carved image of the host-spirit of the guardian drum (long-dead shaman’s ancestor) and snakes. Ornaments, metal rings and symbols representing various functions were also hung on it.

Also important is the drumstick, often made of reindeer or deer antlers, with skin stretched into one part of it. The flat part of the stick was richly decorated, sometimes even metal rings were attached so that the playing was always accompanied. Some shamans have one stick to enter the upper world and another to descend into the lower world. If the shaman’s drum was a horse, the stick was a whip to rush it. The drumsticks had also magical powers and were used for divination. The result depended on which side the stick will fall.

Drums I offer you can find here.

“One of the most powerful aspects of drumming and the reason people have done it since the beginning of being human is that it changes people’s consciousness. Through rhythmic repetition of ritual sounds, the body, the brain and the nervous system are energized and transformed. When a group of people play a rhythm for an extended period of time, their brain waves become entrained to the rhythm and they have a shared brain wave state. The longer the drumming goes on, the more powerful the entrainment becomes. It’s really the oldest holy communion.” ~ Layne Redmond.

The shamanic drums I offer are made from deer skin crafted by my friend and painted by me, imbuing them with both male and female energy. Deer skin produces a very strong sound and bass. The tension is also created with leather, allowing the drum to be tuned using heat or moisture. If the drum absorbs too much moisture from the environment, we can heat it near a fireplace or heater. Conversely, if it becomes too dry and produces high-pitched sounds, we can lower the tone by lightly dampening the back of the drum. We avoid untying or retying anything.

Each drum is unique, carrying its own story and intention. When I paint a drum for a special order, the images represent the client’s intentions and needs. Additionally, each drum comes with a leather drumstick, which may be somewhat hard. If you prefer a softer feel, you can wrap it with a piece of fur and cloth.

Each drum is unique, it carries its own story and intention. If I paint drum for special order, the images are a representation of the client’s intentions and needs.

Drum diameter 40cm, deer skin, cost 350€ / 400$

Drum diameter 50cm, deer skin, cost 400€ / 450$

EU delivery 35€ US shipping 120$ (FedEx).

If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I am an artist journeying along the shamanic path. My adventure with art began long, long ago in my childhood, shaping both my education and occupation. The shamanic journey commenced in 2010, when I traveled to Olchon Island on the Baikal Lake in Siberia. These two paths merged, and now I utilize both sets of skills to craft art, tattoos, and facilitate shamanic workshops and gatherings.

In 2018 I began painting drums, imbuing them with the power to connect their owners with the spirits and enter a shamanic state. The imagery varies in style, often reflecting my own visions or those of my clients.

From the Siberian perspective, the drum holds paramount importance in a shaman’s toolkit, deserving a place in every household, regardless of shamanic practice. It is not merely an object, but a living entity, a conduit, and the shaman’s closest ally. The drum often carries numerous spirits, ranging from those of the tree and animal from which it is crafted to those invited to rituals and ceremonies. Additionally, drums may also capture spirits from individuals or places.

A shamanic journey can be embarked upon by drumming at a speed of 200-220 hits per minute for a minimum of 15 minutes. Through this practice, one can traverse the Lower World, Upper World, and our Middle World. The drum serves as a tool for healing, expansion, discovery of one’s Animal Guides, and retrieval of lost soul fragments.

Ceremonia karmienia Ognia, Roczny Kurs Szamański 2021

SHAMANIC HEALING

Shamanism is a powerful tool for healing and self development.

Additionally, I conduct Soul Retrieval, Soul Remembering, extraction, divination, and psychopomp work using techniques from Sandra Ingerman In 2023, I was listed as a practitioner on the Shamanic practcioners list.

I also offer teachings on shamanic journeying and drum medicine.

If you’re interested in learning shamanism from me or scheduling a shamanic healing session, please don’t hesitate to contact me.