Introduction to the Sheepskin Drums of the Sheepskin Drum Inspiration

Sheepskin drums are "Shibi's" magic weapon, not a musical instrument; drumming, dancing, and singing the "Altar Sutra" are the basic forms of "Shibi's" performance of the Dharma. Shibi orally recites the scriptures, which are divided into "Upper Altar Sutra", "Middle Altar Sutra" and "Lower Altar Sutra". When the drums are used to accompany the singing, the drum beats are repeated in a single rhythmic cycle, with fewer dances and smaller movements. When the drums are used for dancing, the rhythms of the drums are calm and warm, and are rich and varied. Sheepskin drums, drum frames are made of wood, covered with sheepskin on one side, the drum frame is about 11 centimeters high, the diameter of the drum surface is 38-40 centimeters, and there is a beam inside the drum frame. The drum body is connected to a bow-shaped wooden handle, the upper end of the wooden handle carved with a sheep's head, the lower end of the tethered double silk colored spikes. The drum whip is made of rattan or cedar wood (called "Ershuite" in Qiang language), in the shape of a hook, about 58 centimeters long, with the head of the whip wrapped in silk cloth and the handle decorated with colored spikes. After the reform of the Qiang leather drums, single-sided masked with a double layer of sheepskin, drum frame exterior painted stripes, drum frame decorated with silk around the colorful spikes.