The Making of a Dewegan (Drum)

The Making of a Dewegan (Drum)

"There are many ways to make a dewegan as three are several different kinds of deweganag and different teachings to follow. One way is to first gather the necessary materials: a dewegan ring; waawaashkeshi-weyaan (deer hide), laces and a migizi-miigwan (eagle feather). These items are then smudged with mshkodewashk (sage), wiingashk,(sweet grass) or giizhik(cedar). Any or all of these gchitwaa-mshkiki may be used to purify items before assembly. Also, before assembling the dewegan, participants fast and/or feast the items to honor the spirit of each individual item used.

The dewegan ring is made of wood. Sometimes a tree trunk, usually cedar, is hollowed out and cut to about 20 inches in depth. The migizi-miigwan is put in the dewegan suspended by lace, to ask the spirit of that miigwan for help and strength for the dewegan.

The deer hide is prepared by scraping all the hair and meat off, then soaked in water to soften and make the hide stretchable. The hide, while still wet, is the stretched over both ends and tied with the laces. When the hide drys it will shrink and tighten to form a very taut and resonant face on both sides of the dewegan. The deweganaatigoog (drum sticks) are then made of fiberglass rods wrapped with yarn and covered with leather.

The e-dewegejig (drummers) then learn nagamowinan (songs), choose a dewegan keeper, lead singer, and a name for their group."

Jiingtamok! Anishinaabemowin Manual