Sapa corner

The Nêm drum of the Red Dao people

2 Comments

Sapa corner

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Have you ever heard about the Nêm drum?

The Nêm drum is a traditional musical instrument of the Red Dao people in Sapa.

Today, I would like to take you to visit a master artisan in Tả Phìn village. His name is Chảo Quẩy Vạng. He has been making Nêm drums for over 30 years.

Master Nêm drum-maker Chảo Quẩy Vạng in Tả Phìn village, Sapa.

According to artisan Vạng, the Nêm drum plays a major role in the Red Dao’s spiritual life. The drumbeats are a way for the Red Dao to connect with their saints and ancestors. Therefore, they always use the drum in big ceremonies such as Cấp Sắc (the maturity ritual), weddings, funerals, etc.

The Nêm drum has many different sizes. A typical one is about 20 cm high and 30-40 cm in diameter. The Red Dao often play this kind of drum as it’s easy to carry and its sound is resonant. While the bigger ones are heavier with deeper tones. They are only used for selling or display.

Oversized Nêm drums.

The shape of a Nêm drum looks like a sun symbol. Its two surfaces are stretched and made from cowhide. The drum shell is firm and crafted from pine wood. Village drum makers use flexible rattan fibers to tighten the two sides of the drum together.

Wooden wedges and rattan fibers are essential materials to make a Nêm drum.

What makes a Nêm drum unique are the wooden wedges driving tightly around the body of the drum. Because of this feature, the Red Dao people call their drum “Trống nêm”, which means “Wedge drum”.

Wooden wedges.

Making a Nêm drum involves several stages. Each step takes time, effort, and dedication.

Drying a cowhide to make drum skins.
Red Dao craftsmen need to hollow out pine wood logs to form traditional Nêm drum shells.

Thanks to Mr. Vạng, I understand how elaborate it is to produce a Nêm drum and how it means to the Red Dao people.

Hopefully, the art of Nêm drum-making will continue to develop in the Red Dao community in Sapa and this kind of drum will be well-known to more people.

Sharing with you.

Have a nice day.

Cheers,

An An

2 thoughts on “The Nêm drum of the Red Dao people”

  1. What a great idea, anh!

    Normally, people only strike the Nêm drumheads. I’m happy to know that Jazz drumsticks might make an interesting sound with the wedges of a Nêm drum.

    Thank you, anh Hoành, for sharing a new way to play the drum.

    I hope you will have a joyful experience with Nêm drums.

    Em. An An

    Like

  2. Thank you, An An.

    Nêm drum looks very interesting.

    I have the feeling that if we use the light drumsticks of the Jazz kind, we can make an interesting sound by running the drumsticks over the circle of the wedges, to play rock music. (:-)

    When I have a chance, I would love to see and touch a Nêm drum myself.

    A. Hoành

    Like

Leave a comment