Dance Drum Item Number: A6901 a from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Circular, handheld drum made from hide stretched over a wooden frame. Drum has four lengths of wire across the back with cloth covering the centre juncture, forming a handle.
Cultural Context
ceremonial; music; spirit dancing
Specific Techniques
Anthropologist William Elmendorf notes that: "The skin drum was a tambourine with single-skin head of uncured deer hide. During the reservation period horsehide came to be preferred for its louder tone. The single head was stretched across a circular frame of wood, usually a vine maple hoop. The head skin covered the side of the wood frame and was held taught by thong lacings. The frame was thin, one to three feet in diameter, three to four inches deep. It was made of a single piece of wood, bent with the aid of hot water (1960:221)."
Narrative
This drum was acquired by the collector from Robbie Davis of the Esquimalt reserve, prior to 1958. At the time it was sold to the museum (1958), the collector noted that "[Davis] had always danced at the winter dances until last year. He is 76 years old.”
Item History
- Made in Esquimalt, British Columbia, Canada before 1950
- Owned by Robbie Davis
- Owned by Robert H. Nichols before June 30, 1958
- Received from Leon & Thea Koerner Foundation (Funding source) and Robert H. Nichols (Seller) on June 30, 1958
What
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: Songhees ?
- Previous Owner
- Robbie Davis and Robert H. Nichols
- Received from
- Leon & Thea Koerner Foundation (Funding source) and Robert H. Nichols (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Esquimalt, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1950
- Ownership Date
- before June 30, 1958
- Acquisition Date
- on June 30, 1958
Other
- Condition
- poor
- Accession Number
- 2076/0002 a