n.a
reference to a drum used by
primitive medicine men. In some
primitive cultures, illness is
thought to be caused by spirits entering a person, and a
medicine man will try to
effect a cure by driving the spirits out. A
major part of this is beating the medicine drum, which helps bring about a trancelike
state in the
medicine man so he can communicate with the invading spirits. The drum is usually decorated with drawings, is oval or round in shape and covered with
animal hide, often with
rattling rings hanging from it.