Drum

Description

The double-headed drum is made up of a willow wood hoop, goatskin heads and leather cord stitching. The drumsticks are made from mesquite wood, or gótobo (black rod). Several studies have shown that percussion instruments such as the drum have existed since prehistoric times in many cultures of the world, among which the Yaqui is surely also found. The drumsticks used to produce the sound of the drum can vary depending on the use or dance, for the pascolas it is one; those used by the wiko ya'ura (military government) are two, as well as those used by the matachines. The drum for the latter is also distinguished by having a string with a vibraphone function.

In times of war the drum was used to warn the members of the tribe of possible dangers. In colonial times it also marked the hours of prayer in daily life. It is currently used for the Deer dance, but also to invite the people to the beginning of a celebration or ritual. In the Ave Maria ritual that is celebrated in the komunila (official Yaqui government compound), it is played at six in the morning, at noon and at six in the evening. It is also used to wake up the stars when there is an eclipse, as it is believed that they have fallen asleep.