Apply olive oil or shea butter in small, circular motions over the drum's rawhide face, rim and around the holes where the lace meets the wood. Repeat this process every few months to moisturize and prevent the rawhide from cracking.
Rub, handle and play your drum often. The more you play, the more natural body oils penetrate the hide, adding to the life of the drum.
Put your drum in a shady spot when storing it in a car; never store it in direct sunlight. Avoid leaving the drum in the car if you live in a hot, dry climate.
Place the drum in a safe spot away from direct sunlight, a heater, fireplace or stove when storing it in the house.
Move a safe distance away from the campfire when using your drum. The heat causes the drum hide to quickly tighten and the tone to rise. Extended exposure causes the hide to crack.
Put the drum in a plastic bag or drum bag to protect it when traveling.
Play the drum only for short periods in excessively humid weather, since the humidity causes the hide to loosen and the tone to deepen. The drum naturally self-adjusts when humidity goes down.
Include your drum in a sweat lodge ceremony for only a brief time, if at all, since extreme moisture may cause the wood frame to warp and can loosen the hide, causing damage.