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Bronze drums of this type originated in the ancient
Dongson culture and are highly prized today, especially by the Karen
tribal people in Burma and Thailand. Cast of bronze alloys using the
lost wax process, they have been made by Shan craftsmen in eastern
Burma for many centuries. The Karen, as animists, believe that the
sound of the drums pleased the 'nats', or spirits, which reside in
trees, rocks, water and other objects. The drums are also used to
summon the ancestors to ceremonies, and in keeping with the term 'rain
drum', were deemed important in rain-making rituals. Also called 'frog
drums', they are decorated with as few as four, and as many as twelve,
frogs on the tympanum.
In the Karen culture, the possession of a drum brings status to the
owner "greater than the ownership of seven elephants." |
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(Sorry, but these items
are no longer available. Please contact me if you are interested
in something similar. Replica drums are also available) |
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B R
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