Antique Nepalese dhyangro drum #6

The dhyangro is a style of frame drum very typical for the traditional shamans ('jhakri') of Nepal and India, especially in the Tamang, Magar and Kirati tribe. Sometimes it is also used by Tibetan Buddhist ceremonial musicians.

Most dhyangro drums (like also this example) are double-headed; they can be played on two sides. Often these sides are referred to as a male and female side. A double-headed dhyangro drum consists of a wooden shell frame with goatskin drumheads that are secured by wooden hoops laced together with leather strips.  

Inside the drum are often a few small items added, that rattle when the drum is struck. Often these are sacred seeds such as rudraksha or bodhi or small coins.

Most dhyangro drums have a typical wooden handle in the style of a phurba/kila; the three-side ritual dagger, commonly known in diverse spiritual traditions all over Asia. The phurba-shaped handle from this drum here in our shop is handcarved with depictions of the three-sided face of Vajrakila, some shrivatsa (endless knot) variations and snakes and the watermonster Makara on the three-sided blade.

A dhyangro is played by holding the handle of the drum in the left hand, with the frame of the drum level with the face, and striking the outer head with the stick in the right hand. The typical drum beater for a dhyangro is called a 'gajo'; a piece of cane wood, curved in a (single or multiple) S-shape. The sound produced by a dhyangro drum played with a gajo is really different than that of other (shamanic) frame drums; the sound is quite sharp and short (and can be very loud).

This drum is an antique one. It has been used for decades by traditional Nepalese shamans (the remains of old fabric attached to the phurba-handle of this drum show blessings and/or empowerment given to it by its previous owner) and is therefore much more than just a nice decorational object. It should be treated with the utmost care, respect and friendship.

This drum has been decorated with the symbol of the trident (or 'trishula' as it is more often called in Nepal), a very ancient symbol that can be found in spiritual traditions and historical and mythological tales all over the world. Depictions of tridents can be found in prehistoric petroglyphs, showing how this symbol even pre-dates the written history.

In eastern traditions such as Hinduism and Buddhism, the trident is considered to be one of the most important (symbolic) weapons used by a number of deities such as Shiva and Durga to fight against the enemies of Buddhism and the forces of Evil in general.

The trident symbolizes trinity in many different ways. For example in Buddhist symbolism it can represent the  the three aspects of consciousness (waking, dreaming and sleeping), or the three (Buddhist) jewels Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

Also in traditional shamanism the trident can be found. Here yet other forms of trinity it symbolizes can be considered important, such as the three times (past, present and future), or the trinity of Powers (will, knowledge and action), or the trinity of Creation, Preservation and Destruction. A trident worn or used by a traditional shaman can be considered a symbol of willpower, inner strength and authority. It can be both a powerful, active tool or even weapon for the shaman when performing healing rituals or ceremonies, or can be used as a protective attribute for spaces and locations.

Due to its age and previous usage, of course some damages and imperfections can be seen, so please look closely at the pictures to observe the condition of this item. But overall it is still in very good condition and, most important of course; it is still in a very good playable condition. This drum is ready to be used in ritual and ceremony again by its next partner.

This drum has a diameter of 27 centimeters. Including the handle it is approximately 52 centimeters high. This drum comes together with a traditional gajo drum stick.