1920 - 1955 N. A. Indian Drum By Boy Scouts Of Am. At 8th World Jamboree
Item History & Price
Reference Number: Avaluer:44908515 | Maker: Eastern Woodlands or Louisiana Region Native Americans |
Original/Reproduction: Original |
In 1955, the Eighth WorldScout Jamboree was held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada. This was the first major international gathering of Scouts outside of Europe. Over 11, 000 Scouts attended from 71 countries around the world. The Jamboree of New Horizons, as it was called, was held in a tent city next to the recently reconstructed FortGeorge National Historic Site. Each country's Scout representatives were invited to bring with them some example of their culture and/or traditions and to share that program with all other Scouts attending the Jamboree. In the case of the USA contingent, those scouts representing their homeland (see photo) chose to highlight North American Indian cultures by bringing with them various tribal garb and used that garb to help demonstrate tribal dance. That means that they would have to bring various musical instruments with them to authenticate the dance portions of their program, hence this drum!
Who would have thought that this drum, the American contingent's actual drum used in the 1955 scouting jamboree would have turned up like this and become available to collectors? NOT!!!!!IN ANY EVENT, THIS NEW INFORMATION DOES NOT NEGATE PREVIOUS RESEARCH BELOW, IT JUST BROADENS AND EXPLAINS SOME OF THE DRUM'S HISTORYI have, thru my own research concluded (although I am not a professional and may be incorrect in my conclusions) this drum is a dramatic example of late nineteenth century, early 20thcentury construction with the drum frame created through the use of hand-made panels reminiscent of European barrel construction. The barrel panels are pieced together with fence-wire retainers holding it all together. The wet drum skin has obviously been stretched, laced and dried, allowing the shrinkage to create the taut surface necessary for percussion and deep sound. Size: 12”H x 13”W Drum Skin: Single skin with the following paint symbols:- 4 compass directions NSEW- Arrowheads representing Protection, Peace and/or Alertness- Faint overlay of a Fleur-de-list - What looks like lettering surrounding the arrowheads and fleur-de-lis images (note the yellow)!The base of the drum is open. Perimeter of drum: the following symbols ring the base of the drum on the fastening skin: t- The Thunderbird representing the Happiness Bearer- The Sun, representing Happiness- The Night/Day symbols- Medicine Man’s Eye, representing Wisdom- Four ages, representing Infancy, Youth, Middle and old Age- Pipe representing Peace- Buffalo Skull representing Protection and/or Strength- Snow/Rain representing Plentiful Crops- Cross/X representing Friendship or Paths Crossing- The Coyote Track indicating the Trickster, and finally, - Whirling Logs representing either or both Friendship among Forefathers and the 4 Corners of the WorldClearly, this drum includes dramatic symbolism involved with its creation and use and, because of the inclusion of fleur–de-lis, is probably of Eastern Woodlands nations origins, which would include the Chippewa, Miami, Shawnee, Algonquin, Huron, Iroquois, and Len Lange Tribes or alternately, those nations originally located in the Louisiana/Mississippi region, including the Kiowa and Caddans!I hope you agree with the spectacular nature of this opportunity and I look forward to receiving your purchase or offering. Please remember, I am not a professional in N. American Indian antiques and my conclusions may be in error, so please, do your own research for confirmation before purchasing.