The clay drum holds a sacred place in the spiritual and cultural life of the Cao Lan people, also known as the San Chay. Used in rituals to pray for rain, harvests, good fortune, and cool weather, this unique instrument is now rare, with few remaining in existence.

Meticulously crafted and spiritually significant, the clay drum is in urgent need of preservation to protect and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Cao Lan.

The making of a clay drum is an intricate process. Unlike the common assumption that drums are made of wood, the body of the clay drum is fired from clay, which gives the instrument its distinct name and character.

Even the drumhead deviates from the norm - it’s not made from buffalo hide but from python or, ideally, monitor lizard skin.

The drum’s body measures about 40 cm in length, with both ends flaring out and the middle narrowing, carved with a central hole. Its two drumheads differ in size, and when struck, the air resonating through the middle hole produces alternating low and high-pitched tones. If crafted properly, the drumhead can last up to 20 years.

To ensure the drum delivers its resonant, soulful tones, it is soaked in water for one to two days prior to use. The playing technique varies by occasion. During rituals, the drum is placed between the legs and played with both hands.

At festivals or cultural performances, it is tied with fabric straps and worn across the body like a trống cơm (rice drum). The performer taps one head with clustered fingertips while striking the other with a small mallet. The result is the signature earthen sound of the clay drum - deep, textured, and emotionally rich.

People’s Artist Sam Van Dun of Son Duong District, Tuyen Quang Province, notes that the clay drum is not only used as accompaniment for sinh ca - a form of folk duet singing recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage - but also for traditional dances during festivals, such as the chim gau (bird dance) and xuc tep (shrimp-scooping dance).

It plays a key rhythmic role, guiding the dancers with lively beats. A drummer must strike both heads decisively in sync, maintaining a rhythm - tinh, tắc, sình - for up to an hour.

Today, few artisans still possess the skills to make the clay drum, and its complexity has made it increasingly rare. As both instrument and tradition face the threat of fading into obscurity, preserving these heritage drums has become an urgent cultural priority.

Every year, the Tuyen Quang Provincial Cultural Center organizes performances and cultural exchanges, inviting Cao Lan shamans and musicians to share their music with the public. Among the instruments featured, the clay drum is a focal point - symbolic of the Cao Lan people's identity, resilience, and artistic legacy.

PV