Once you get home, find a warm airy place to hang your drum so the air can move around all surfaces. 

 

Never leave the drum in direct sunlight or too close to a heat source for a prolonged period as this tightens the hide to the point of breaking the hoop. If this happens the drum is broken and does not 'sing'.

 

Once the drum has completely dried, it is ready. You will know this as you will hear the sound travel over the drums surface when you tap it with your finger and the handle will be dry. 

 

You enliven the drums by playing them. You can choose to do this in a way that works for you and the drum. Why not try asking the drum when and where to do this. See what comes. Maybe it will be at an ancient site at dusk or dawn. You could create a ceremony space and invite the elements in. Remembering all things are sacred and it is the playing that counts. The more you play together, the more familiar you'll become. 

 

As the drums are made with natural hides, they are affected by the environment. If it is humid or wet the drums have a tendency to go flat and not play. Sometimes they do this anyway!!

 

Some people lightly oil their drums with a natural polish to care for the hide, and this may make it more resilient to the damp. If this happens you can carefully warm them up by briefly holding them close to a heat source, the sun, the fire. 

 

You may choose to carry the drum around in a special bag or cloth.