Bronze drum

Last updated
Ngoc Lu bronze drum's surface, 2-3rd century BC, Vietnam Ngoc Lu bronze drum surface.gif
Ngọc Lũ bronze drum's surface, 2-3rd century BC, Vietnam

Bronze drums are ancient artifacts found in various cultures in Southeast Asia and southern China. The drums were cast in bronze using the lost-wax casting method. The drums were both musical instruments and cult objects. They are decorated with geometric patterns, scenes of daily life and war, animals and birds, and boats. [1] Bronze drum is considered as one of the national symbols of Vietnam.

Contents

History

A Dong Son drum in Guimet Museum, Paris Trong dong Dong Son.jpg
A Đông Sơn drum in Guimet Museum, Paris

The earliest written records describing the drum appeared in the Shi Ben, a Chinese book dated from the 3rd century BC. The Hou Hanshu, a late Han dynasty book dated to the 5th century AD, describes how the Han dynasty general Ma Yuan collected bronze drums from northern Vietnam to melt down and recast into bronze horses. [2]

Bronze drums are venerated in Vietnamese folk religion. [3] Thần Đồng Cổ (bronze drum god) along with excavated bronze drums were worshipped in several temples such as the Đồng Cổ Temple in Thanh Hóa and the Cao Sơn Temple in Hanoi. [4] The 14th century book Việt Điện U Linh Tập mentioned the Bronze drum cult as early as in 1020. [5]

In 1902, a collection of 165 large bronze drums was published by Austrian archaeologist Franz Heger, who subdivided them into a classification of four types. [6] Chinese archaeologists classify them into the heavier Yue drums, including the Đông Sơn drums, and the Dian drums, which has eight subtypes: Wanjiaba, Shizhaishan, Lengshuichong, Zunyi, Majiang, Beiliu, Lingshan and Ximeng.

In China, during the Great Leap Forward campaign from 1958 to 1960, people were mobilized to collect all metal materials, including ancient bronze wares, were melted down to producing steel in backyard furnaces. Many ancient bronze drums were destroyed as the result. [7]

Types

Đông Sơn drum (Heger I)

Castings on the Ngoc Lu drum's surface Dong Son drums.jpg
Castings on the Ngọc Lũ drum's surface

Đông Sơn drums were produced from about 600 BC until the third century CE by the Đông Sơn culture centered in the Red River Delta. They were classified into five groups by the Vietnamese scholar Pham Huy Thong. One iconic pattern found on the top of all Đông Sơn drums is a "star" image, with various number of spikes radiating out from a center, its meaning is unknown at present. The majority of drums found have a 12-pointed star image, while Cổ Loa , Ngọc Lũ , Sông Đà, Thượng Lâm feature a 14-angled star. The Hoàng Hạ drum has a 16-pointed star and Bình Đà drum has a 6-pointed star. Đông Sơn drums are also found in the islands of Indonesia and were discovered as far as in Java and New Guinea and is seen as proof of trade connections between these regions. [8] According to researchers, bronze drums originated from the Dong Son culture, which is associated with the period when the Hung Kings established the Van Lang kingdom. [9] [10] [11] Bronze drums have become a sacred symbol of Vietnamese national culture. [12]

Dian drum

A Dian bronze drum Western Han Bronze Cowrie Container 1.jpg
A Dian bronze drum

Dian was a 3rd to 2nd century BC kingdom situated in Yunnan, southwestern China. The Dian people were sophisticated metal workers, they used both the piece mould method and the lost wax method to cast large bronze objects. Ritual burials of Dian elites were accompanied by large bronze drums filled with cowrie shells. The tops of the drums were removed and replaced by bronze lids and the bronze drums sometimes turn into a type of ritual vessel, containing votive objects. A large number of Heger I drums were excavated in Yunnan such as Shizhaishan (1975) and Shaguo (1983) are referred to as Shizhaishan type drums. [13]

Wanjiaba drum

In 1976, Chinese archaeologists discovered a Type I drum in Wanjiaba (万家坝), Chuxiong prefecture, Yunnan. They usually feature simple or no decorations. By 1990, Chinese archaeologists had identified 29 Wanjiaba-type bronze drums, of which 26 were found in Yunnan, one in Vietnam, and two in Thailand. As a result, Chinese scholars began to discard Heger's classification to support the view that southern China, not Vietnam had yielded the earliest bronze drums, and that Wanjiaba was the birthplace of the bronze drum. [14] This claim has fueled objections from Vietnamese archaeologists who classify Wanjiaba drums, also found in Vietnam, to belong in the late Heger I period.

Heger II (Li-Lao drum)

A Hegel II bronze drum found in Pingnan, Guangxi, China Bronze drum with frogs.jpg
A Hegel II bronze drum found in Pingnan, Guangxi, China

Li-Lao drums, named after the Li people from Hainan, are classified by Franz Heger as type II to distinguish with the Dian-Dong Son drums (Heger I). Li-Lao drums were found in Guangdong, Guangxi, the Red River Delta and the Muong hills. [15] The Li-Lao drums are known for their large diameters and sizes and frogs figures. However, decorations on Li-Lao drums are much lesser and impressive than their predecessor. The drums are still being used by some Muong communities.

Heger III (Karen drums)

Karen drums a decorated with 12-pointed stars and two pairs of frogs on the tympanum surface. They are found in Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Yunnan. They are still being used by the Karenni people as rain drums.

Heger IV

Tan Do drum, a Heger III type drum, found in Ha Tay, Vietnam TanDo-HegerIII.jpg
Tân Độ drum, a Heger III type drum, found in Hà Tây, Vietnam

Heger IV drums are found in China and Vietnam, they are sometimes decorated by Earthly Branches animals and other Chinese elements.

Pejeng drum

Pejeng drums are Bronze Age kettledrums being made across the archipelago of Indonesia between the 1st and 2nd century AD. Examples include Moko drums in the island of Alor. Some scholars identify the design and decorations have their likely origin in the Đông Sơn culture of Vietnam. In Bali, the Moon of Pejeng is the largest drum of this type.

Symbols

In Vietnamese culture, Dong Son drum is an important national symbol of the Hùng Kings founding myth. The drum and images of its decorations, such as the Lạc bird, can be found in various modern settings such as logos, decor patterns and merchandises. It is used as a ritual object in the Hung kings veneration festivals.

The Hy Cuong drum, found in 1990 in Co Tich Village, near the Hùng Temple in Phu Tho province is the largest bronze drum ever found in Vietnam with 93 centimetres in diameter. The drum is said to date back to between 3 BC and 1 AD, is viewed as a national treasure and is in exhibition at the Hung Temple, which is dedicated to the Hung Kings. [16]

Bronze drum is a cultural symbol of the Zhuang in southern China. The Zhuang folk tale, The origin of the bronze drum tells bronze drums that are like "stars" to ward off evil spirits. [17] A giant bronze drum, six metres in diameter is a landmark in Huanjiang town, Guangxi. It was recognized as the largest bronze drum by Guinness World Records. [18] Bronze drum dance tradition is maintained by ethnic Yi and Zhuang in some villages in Wenshan, [19]

The bronze drum is also an important cultural heritage of the Karenni people, to them the drums are known as frog drums (Hpà-si), after the images of frogs that appear around the tympanum. Frog drums are played by the Karenni to bring rain and in other rituals. [20]

Bronze drums are still being used ceremoniously in Southeast Asia by various ethnic groups, such as the Lolo people, Zhuang people, Karenni people, Khmu people, Miao people, Muong people and Qabiao people. They are generally struck in the center with a soft mallet, and on the side with a wooden or bamboo stick. In Thailand, bronze drums are also used in some ceremonies in temples, where it's called the Mahorathuek (มโหระทึก).

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonkin</span> Historical name for Northern Vietnam

Tonkin, also spelled Tongkin, Tonquin or Tongking, is an exonym referring to the northern region of Vietnam. During the 17th and 18th centuries, this term referred to the domain Đàng Ngoài under Trịnh lords' control, including both the Northern and Thanh-Nghệ regions, north of the Gianh River. From 1884 to early 1945, this term was used for the French protectorate of Tonkin, composed of only the Northern region.

Articles related to Vietnam and Vietnamese culture include:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nùng people</span> Central Tai ethnic group living in Northern Vietnam and Southwest Guangxi

The Nùng are a Central Tai-speaking ethnic group living primarily in northeastern Vietnam and southwestern Guangxi. The Nùng sometimes call themselves Thổ, which literally means autochthonous. Their ethnonym is often mingled with that of the Tày as Tày-Nùng. According to the Vietnam census, the population of the Nùng numbered about 856,412 by 1999, 968,800 by 2009, and 1,083,298 by 2019. They are the third largest Tai-speaking group, preceded by the Tày and the Thái, and sixth overall among national minority groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vietic languages</span> Subgroup of the Austroasiatic language family

The Vietic languages are a branch of the Austroasiatic language family, spoken by the Vietic peoples in Laos and Vietnam. The branch was once referred to by the terms Việt–Mường, Annamese–Muong, and Vietnamuong; the term Vietic was proposed by La Vaughn Hayes, who proposed to redefine Việt–Mường as referring to a sub-branch of Vietic containing only Vietnamese and Mường.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phú Thọ province</span> Province of Vietnam

Phú Thọ is a province in northern Vietnam. Its capital is Việt Trì, which is 80 kilometres (50 mi) from Hanoi and 50 kilometres (31 mi) from Nội Bài International Airport. The province covers an area of 3,534.56 km2 (1,364.70 sq mi) and, as of 2023, it had a population of 1,530,800.

The Hồng Bàng period, also called the Hồng Bàng dynasty, was a legendary ancient period in Vietnamese historiography, spanning from the beginning of the rule of Kinh Dương Vương over the kingdom of Văn Lang in 2879 BC until the conquest of the state by An Dương Vương in 258 BC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dian Kingdom</span> Former country

Dian was an ancient kingdom established by the Dian people, a non-Han metalworking civilization that inhabited around the Dian Lake plateau of central northern Yunnan, China from the late Spring and Autumn period until the Eastern Han dynasty. The Dian buried their dead in vertical pit graves. The Dian language was likely one of the Tibeto-Burman languages. The Han Empire's annexation of the Dian Kingdom in 109 BCE eventually led to the establishment of the Yizhou commandery. Dian culture started from at least the 8th century BCE, until it fell under the control of the Han dynasty in 109 BCE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dong Son culture</span> Archaeological culture of Vietnam

The Dong Son culture or the Lạc Việt culture was a Bronze Age culture in ancient Vietnam centred at the Red River Valley of northern Vietnam from 1000 BC until the first century AD. Vietnamese historians attribute the culture to the states of Văn Lang and Âu Lạc. Its influence spread to other parts of Southeast Asia, including Maritime Southeast Asia, from about 1000 BC to 1 BC.

Traditional Vietnamese musical instruments are the musical instruments used in the traditional and classical musics of Vietnam. They comprise a wide range of string, wind, and percussion instruments, used by both the Viet majority as well as the nation's ethnic minorities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cổ Loa Citadel</span> Archaeological site in Vietnam

Cổ Loa Citadel is an important fortified settlement and archaeological site in present-day Hanoi's Đông Anh district, roughly 17 kilometers north of present-day Hanoi, in the upper plain north of the Red River. Various relics of the Bronze Age Phùng Nguyên culture and Đông Sơn culture have been found in Cổ Loa, although it was later established as the capital of Âu Lạc Kingdom during the 3rd century BCE. It might be the first political center of the Vietnamese civilization. The settlement’s concentric walls resemble a snail’s shell; it had an outer embankment covering 600 hectares.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dong Son drum</span>

A Đông Sơn drum is a type of ancient bronze drum created by the Đông Sơn culture that existed in the Red River Delta. The drums were produced from about 600 BCE or earlier until the third century CE; they are one of the culture's most astounding examples of ancient metalworking. The drums, cast in bronze using the lost-wax casting method are up to a meter in height and weigh up to 100 kilograms (220 lb). Đông Sơn drums were apparently both musical instruments and objects of worship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vietnamese art</span> Visual art originating in Vietnam

Vietnamese art is visual art that, whether ancient or modern, originated in or is practiced in Vietnam or by Vietnamese artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Đại Việt</span> Vietnamese monarchy (10th–19th century)

Đại Việt, often known as Annam, was a monarchy in eastern Mainland Southeast Asia from the 10th century AD to the early 19th century, centered around the region of present-day Hanoi, Northern Vietnam. Its early name, Đại Cồ Việt, was established in 968 by Vietnamese ruler Đinh Bộ Lĩnh after he ended the Anarchy of the 12 Warlords, until the beginning of the reign of Lý Thánh Tông, the third emperor of the Lý dynasty. Đại Việt lasted until the reign of Gia Long, the first emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty, when the name was changed to Việt Nam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nguồn language</span> Vietic language spoken in Southeast Asia

Nguồn is a Vietic language spoken by the Nguồn people in the Trường Sơn mountains in Vietnam's North Central Coast region as well as in nearby regions of Laos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mường Thanh Valley</span>

The Mường Thanh Valley is a valley located in the Điện Biên Province of Northwestern Vietnam. The valley is approximately 20 km long by 5 km wide. A heart-shaped basin, the valley is surrounded by a region filled with jungles, rice paddies, and lakes. Located within the Mường Thanh Valley is the city of Điện Biên Phủ. The capital of Điện Biên Province, Điện Biên Phủ, is famous as the site of a decisive battle in 1954 in which French forces were defeated by Việt Minh troops under general Võ Nguyên Giáp.

<i>Hàng Trống painting</i> Genre of Vietnamese woodcut painting

Hàng Trống painting is a genre of Vietnamese woodcut painting that originated from the area of Hàng Trống and Hàng Nón streets in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, Vietnam. In the past, Hàng Trống painting was an essential element of the Tết Nguyên Đán holiday in Hanoi, but today this tradition almost has disappeared and authentic Hàng Trống paintings are found only in museums or fine art galleries. However, the art of making Hàng Trống paintings is always considered a symbol of traditional culture and aesthetic value of Vietnam.

<i>Bình Ngô đại cáo</i> Vietnamese announcement

Bình Ngô đại cáo was an announcement written by Nguyễn Trãi in 1428, at Lê Lợi's behest and on Lê Lợi's behalf, to proclaim the Lam Sơn's victory over the Ming imperialists and affirm the independence of Đại Việt to its people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dai Zhuang language</span> Tai language spoken in China and Vietnam

Dai Zhuang or Thu Lao is a Tai language spoken in Yunnan, China and northern Vietnam. In China is it spoken in Yanshan, Wenshan, Maguan, Malipo, Guangnan counties of Wenshan Prefecture. It is also spoken in Honghe Prefecture. The largest concentrations are in Wenshan and Yanshan counties.

Nùng is a Kra–Dai language spoken mostly in Cao Bằng and Lạng Sơn provinces in Vietnam and also in China and Laos. It is also known as Nong, Tai Nùng, Tay, and Tày Nùng. Nùng is the name given to the various Tai languages of northern Vietnam that are spoken by peoples classified as Nùng by the Vietnamese government. The Nùng were originally Zhuang people who migrated into Vietnam in the 16th and 18th centuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Li Lao drum</span> Type of musical instrument

The Li-Lao bronze drums or Heger type II drums are a type of ancient bronze drums found in Southern China and Northern Vietnam invented and used by Tai-Kadai-speaking ethnic groups who were known to Chinese as Lǐ (俚) or Lǎo (獠) and who historically inhabited the area between the Red River Delta and the Pearl River Delta from the 3rd to 8th century AD and later the Muong people, an ethnic minority in Northern Vietnam, from the 10th to 12th century. Classified by Franz Heger as type II to distinguish with the Dian-Dong Son drums or Heger type I, the Karen drum or Heger type III. Li-Lao drums were found in Guangdong, Guangxi, and northern Vietnam, particularly in the Muong hills.

References

  1. Heidhues, Mary Somers (2000). Southeast Asia: A Concise History. London: Thames and Hudson. pp. 19–20.
  2. "Dong Son Drums - Symbols of a Maritime Bronze Age Society in Asia".
  3. "Results of survey and excavations undertaken at Dong Co temple relic, Tu Liem district, Hanoi". Vietnam Museum of History.
  4. "Tạ Đức, Cao Sơn, Bronze Drums, Nationalism and History – le Minh Khai's SEAsian History Blog (And More!)".
  5. "Đền Đồng Cổ". Hanoi Tourism Department.
  6. Higham, Charles (1996). The Bronze Age of Southeast Asia. Cambridge World Archaeology. ISBN   0-521-56505-7.
  7. "Vanishing bronze drums raise concern". Shenzhen Daily. 1 November 2012.
  8. Diamond, Jared (1997). Guns, Germs, and Steel – The Fate of Human Societies. New York: W. W. Norton & Co. p. 307. ISBN   0-393-03891-2.
  9. "Trống đồng Đồng Sơn, đỉnh cao văn minh thời đại Hùng Vương". dangcongsan.vn. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  10. "Trống đồng Đông Sơn- biểu tượng của văn minh Sông Hồng thời kỳ Hùng Vương dựng nước" (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  11. "Guitar, microphone, loa kiểm âm, amply, organ, piano điện, trống". laodong.vn (in Vietnamese). 2021-11-07. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  12. Văn Tuấn (2011-04-10). "Trống đồng Đông Sơn: Biểu tượng của văn minh sông Hồng". Báo Phú Thọ (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  13. Interpreting Southeast Asia's Past: Monument, Image and Text. NUS Press. 2008. ISBN   978-9971-69-405-0.
  14. Han, Xiaorong (2004). "Who Invented the Bronze Drum? Nationalism, Politics, and a Sino-Vietnamese Archaeological Debate of the 1970s and 1980s". Asian Perspectives. 43 (1): 7–33. doi:10.1353/asi.2004.0004. hdl: 10125/17200 . S2CID   55076970.
  15. Han, Xiaorong (1998). "The Present Echoes of the Ancient Bronze Drum:Nationalism and Archaeology in Modern Vietnam and China". Explorations in Southeast Asian Studies. 2 (2).
  16. "Hung Temple's Bronze Drum and Dong Son Bronze Drums – a sacred symbol of the Vietnamese people". 6 May 2019.
  17. 广西民间故事(二) pages 129-133
  18. "Chinese bronze drum sets new Guinness World Record - Xinhua | English.news.cn". Archived from the original on June 29, 2018.
  19. [southern Yunnan. https://www.chinaculturetour.com/yunnan/bronze-drum-dance.htm]
  20. "Karen Drum 2 K".