LEARN ABOUT DONG SON BRONZE DRUMS - A JOURNEY TO EXPLORE CULTURE AND HISTORY

Learning about Dong Son Dong Drum is not simply about studying a unique artistic symbol, but also a journey to find the rich cultural roots of the Vietnamese people. Dong Drum not only carries high artistic value but is also a valuable cultural asset, associated with the country's historical heritage.

I. Origin and history of Dong Son Drum

Dong Son Bronze Drum is one of the most prominent archaeological items of the Dong Son civilization, developing from around the 7th century BC to the 1st-2nd centuries AD. More than just a musical instrument, the Bronze Drum is also a symbol of the cultural, social and artistic development of its residents.

Dong Son bronze drum, a unique cultural symbol of the ancient Vietnamese people, originated from the land of To Phu Tho and the Northern provinces. Appearing in the 7th century BC, bronze drums have existed and developed for thousands of years

The diversity in design and pattern of Dong Son Bronze Drums makes each drum a work of art with its own value. The images engraved on the drums often reflect the lives, cultures and beliefs of the ancients, thereby helping us understand more about how they viewed the world around them.

The special thing about Dong Son Dong Drum is its ability to reflect the society and culture of that time. The images on the drums often depict daily activities, hunting scenes, as well as formal ceremonies. Therefore, the Bronze Drum is not simply a musical instrument but also a valuable document to help us better understand the history and culture of the nation.

II. The art of making Dong Son Dong Drums

On the market today, copper drumheads are crafted using three different methods creating products with different characteristics and designs to suit each specific requirement. Below are three popular bronze drum face designs:

Copper drum face touching mound:

A perfectly carved bronze drum is a work of miniature art, with flexible, sophisticated pattern lines, without any scratches or defects.

Corrosive copper drum faces:

The bronze drum surface is as corrosive as a vivid painting, with delicate patterned lines, sharp down to every small detail, skillfully portrayed on an iridescent golden bronze background. The role of the Bronze Drum in cultural life

Cast bronze drum faces:

A sample of a product prepared by casting using gold or red copper. This model has many sizes for you to choose from: 40cm, 50cm, 60cm, 70cm, 80cm, 1m, 1m07, 1m2, 1m5, 2m....

III. Types of copper drums on the market today

Copper Drums are currently divided into two main types: Dong Son Copper Drums and Ngoc Lu Copper Drums. In terms of shape and structure, these two types are relatively similar, but the difference lies in the pattern on the blank surface.

Ngoc Lu Bronze Drum

Ngoc Lu bronze drum is like a perfect work of art with an ancient layer of gray and blue roller. The empty side is like a miniature universe, with a 12-pointed star shining in the center, surrounded by graceful peacock feather motifs, as if dancing. The patterns of human and animal figures and activities of daily living on the drum surface, such as recounting a story about the life of ancient Vietnamese people. Each line and each pattern is meticulously crafted, demonstrating the artist's talent and creativity.

Drum tang is like a history book, capturing vivid images of ancient Vietnamese life. The small dots line up, the writing is serrated like musical notes, creating a majestic symphony. Boats carrying warriors, images of storks holding fish and hunting dogs... are not only decorative patterns but also show the daily life and beliefs of the ancient Vietnamese people. On the drum body, mighty fighters with sharp weapons seemed to be participating in a heroic parade. Every step they take is strong and majestic. Each detail on the uniform drum is meticulously crafted, demonstrating the artist's talent and creativity.

Dongshan bronze drum

The drum has an 8, 10 or 12-pointed star, surrounded by 10 wreaths of human, animal, animal and geometric patterns. Common geometric patterns are: small dotted lines, smooth threaded rings, tangential middle dotted circles, tangential middle dotted concentric circles, broken letter patterns, serrated patterns and parallel short lines, and ancient Vietnamese letters, images of people such as boys and girls pounding rice, dancing and singing, warriors on boats.

The drum body usually has boat-shaped, dancer-shaped, and some birds and animals, usually only has a geometric pattern. Drum straps are usually made in the shape of braided ropes.

Dong Son bronze drums are classified according to the distribution of engravings and patterns on the drums, including 4 types. Among them, Ngoc Lu bronze drum is the ancient type and the "most beautiful child” of Dong Son bronze drum.

Meaning of Dong Son bronze drum

The bronze drum is not only a sacred object but also a message that creates the most centralized symbol of achievements in economic, cultural, and social activities, and is the authority of the first established state in our country – Hung Vuong State.

Dong Son Dong Drum is not simply a musical instrument, but also plays an important role in the cultural and spiritual life of the community. During festival services, drums are often used to create majestic sounds, symbolizing the strength and power of the community.

In addition, the Bronze Drum is also seen as a symbol of national unity and pride. The sound of drums not only echoes in space but also recalls the majestic past of our ancestors, arousing pride in the nation's cultural roots.

Furthermore, Bronze Drums are used in worship rituals, showing reverence for ancestors and gods. This clearly shows the important role of drums in the spiritual life of the ancients, linking them to traditional cultural values.

FAQ

What does Dong Son Dong Drum mean in Vietnamese culture?

Dongshan Bronze Drum is a representation of Dongshan civilization, carrying artistic and historical values. It reflects the life, culture and beliefs of the ancients.

Why is the Bronze Drum considered a cultural symbol?

Because the Bronze Drum is not only a musical instrument but also an indispensable part of spiritual rituals, showing respect for the ancestors and cultural values of the nation.

Are there places you can visit to see Dong Son Dong Drum?

You can visit cultural museums, especially the Vietnam History Museum, which preserves many precious Bronze Drum artifacts.

Is studying Copper Drums expensive?

The cost of studying Copper Drums may vary depending on the research method and required documents.

Conclusion

Learning about Dong Son Dong Drum is not only a process of studying art and culture, but also a journey to discover the historical and spiritual values of Vietnamese people. Through the drums, we not only see great artistic creativity but also feel the strength and pride of the nation's cultural traditions.