"CPR.......here are some parts of what I was told.
"a water drum kettle used in the Native American Church, peyote religion. A buckskin hide is tied over the top of the kettle, after the side bails have been removed, and the legs must be long enough for the rope to pass under them without extended beyond the tips of the legs."
"The kettles have the bails or "ears" removed and filed smooth. The kettle is half filled with water and a wet, circular piece of buckskin hide is tied over the top using round stones, marbles, or sometimes pecans as "bosses" or means to wrap the commercial rope around. The tying is rather ingenious as the rope passes around the "bosses" and under the kettle legs to form a seven pointed star when the kettle is looked at from the underside. The drum is then struck with a hardwood stick decorated with carved peyote symbols and designs. The ideal kettle is a #6 although many prefer a #7. The old kettles made of pig iron are especially desired as they are much lighter in weight than the later kettles. One member drums for another who sings with a gourd rattle, fan, and staff. These peyote songs are of a rapid tempo with a staccato beat."
"Indians like the lighter kettles because they are easier to pass around the meeting as the drum goes around the tipi. I would call this kettle a big 6 or a small 7 , but it is what I have been looking for. I have been checking cast iron kettles and pots for a couple of years and this is the first one I have bought. When you look at the 6, 7, and 8 kettles you will usually notice they are being bid on from Arizona and New Mexico and many times have ebay names that evoke Indian themes. Most of the bidders are Navajos where the peyote religion is at present the strongest. I have gone to meetings up in Oklahoma for many years and can tell you that these kettles are highly sought after and well valued. Thanks for making it available. Jim. P.S. I have attached another photo of a peyote drum tied up, ready for use. The drummer is Duane Shields and the singer, with staff and fan, is the Rev. Joseph Shields Sr."
"I have heard that the Oto Indians preferred 8's back in the old days but most peyotist considered them a little too big and harder to manipulate. I am attaching a scan of three peyotist from the nineteenth century using what appears to be a #8 kettle. These three men were prominent men of the Comanche, Apache, and Kiowa tribes, respectively."
I'll also post the pictures he sent me.
