As the end of the week approaches, Native Americans congregate to sing and dance, as did their ancestors when great herds of buffalo roamed the land. They sit together in a circle, the most reverenced symbol of their people because a circle has neither beginning nor an end. The sounds of a beating drum begin to resonate in the ears and souls of the dancers that wait patiently to give their pleadings offerings to their ancestors and gods. The drum is more than a musical instrument to those who own and play it. It has a life of its own and is the heartbeat of the soul that guides the dancers in their motions of honor and gratitude. Each dancer keeps his/her head moving either up or down with the beat, nodding quickly several times to each beat, or moving from side to side. As the beat of the drum continues, the words of the ancient songs are sung, being captured by the wind until the songs reach the ears of the ancient ones.