Thai Bronze Rain Drums
Product code
10171
Product code
10172
Product code
10173
For centuries the drums were believed to have sacred power and were used as tribal drums throughout Southeast Asia, to make music and to connect with spirits and reach ancestors
To the farmers of ancient times, rain was a most valuable resource, rain drums offering music to the rain gods was considered to bring wealth and power.
To continue the association with rain and water, the drums were adorned with frogs to bring luck; the rain drums turned the monsoon rains of Southeast Asia echoing inside the hollow bronze bodies, into music.
Rain drums were spiritually significant, relating to lucky spirits, so much so that often they were placed together with the corpse in burial mounds. In addition they were prized as they represented good harvests, and fertility.
Names:
Dong Son Rain Drum in Vietnam, Thai Bronze Rain Drums, Laos Style Rain Drums, Bronze Drum and Frog Drum.
How the rain drums are made:
Rain drums are created using the "lost wax" casting method.
The original mold makers carve the shape of the drum & the designs out of wax, next making a mold from sand. Metal workers remove the wax and pour molten bronze into their sand mold. As the bronze cools the drums are freed, polished, & finally exquisite detailing is carved into the bodies of the drums.
Embellishments and patterns:
Frogs, as frogs and toads are water creatures that symbolise the rainy season and the moon. Frogs are also believed to subdue the Thunder God who is afraid of them! To ensure that the drums would bring luck they may have geometric designs inscribed, such as eight pointed stars or 12 spoke wheels.
History:
Dating back to the time of Dong Son culture in Southeast Asia, rain drums accurately dated as circa 1,500 B.C. were recorded as found in Vinh Phuc Province Vietnam, however it is widely acknowledged that they originated from Yunnan Province, China up to 1,000 years earlier.
From Vietnam the rain drums spread to neighbouring countries such as Laos, Burma, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
