Soak the rawhide that will cover your drum in water for 24 hours. Your rawhide must be stretchable and soft in order to go over the hand drum.
Cut your rawhide pieces at least 2 inches wider than the diameter of your drum using scissors. Cut two circular shapes that will fit over your drum.
Lay the rawhide on a protected, flat surface and use an awl or leather punch to create holes in the rawhide. These holes should be 1 inch from the edges of the rawhide. They must be evenly spaced so they hold equal pressure and the rawhide does not rip. Make sure to use an odd number of punch holes. Repeat this process for the second piece of rawhide.
Place one piece of rawhide on the ground with the top of the rawhide facing the ground. Place the frame of the drum on top of the rawhide so that it is centered on the rawhide. Place the second piece of rawhide over the top of the drum frame so that it is evenly centered over the frame.
Thread the rawhide strips through one of the holes in the top and bottom pieces of rawhide, in the same vertical location.
Cross the strips on the way to the next hole. The rawhide strip that started at the top of the drum will cross the other strip and it will be laced into the bottom of the drum on the next hole. Continue this pattern all the way around the drum. Leave a hoop at the beginning of your lacing that will become a handle for the drum.
Pull the strips tight after you have laced all the way around the drum. Do not lace too tight, because the rawhide will shrink and may pull the laces out of the drum. The rawhide top and bottom should be secure and without wrinkles.
Wrap the rawhide lace ends around the handle hoop you created. Knot the rawhide at the end of the handle. Fold the rest of the rawhide strip into the laces of the drum. As it dries, the laces and the rawhide strip will be secured together naturally.
Place the drum in a warm, arid location while the rawhide dries thoroughly, and do not play it until it is dry.