Why Wei Feng Gong and Drums are the Best Drums in the World

Weifeng gongs and drums are a kind of folk collective percussion performance born and popularized in the area of Linfen, Shanxi Province, due to its drums sounding like thunder, cymbals sounding clear and crisp, gongs sounding boring and majestic, so it gets this name. When the mighty gongs and drums perform, they are majestic, rough and bold, pleasant to the ear, deep and thick, and have a healthy body, and they are often performed in the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Harvest Celebration, and some large-scale rituals, temple fairs, pilgrimages, and other grand festivals and occasions. According to legend, this form of gong performance began in the era of Yao and Shun, with a history of more than 4,000 years.

Since the reform and opening up, the Wei Feng gongs and drums have continued to innovate and develop on the basis of inheriting the tradition. In 1988, a 300-member Wei Feng gong and drum team from Huoxian County performed at the opening ceremony of the first National Farmers' Games in Beijing, and in 1989, the Wei Feng gong and drum team from Linfen participated in the 40th anniversary of the National Day in Tiananmen Square - a large-scale cultural and art performance organized by CCTV. In 1990, the 410-member Linfen Drum and Gong Team was the first to perform at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Beijing. It is a magnificent lineup, neat formation, into the wind, majestic, demonstrating the Chinese children of the sky, mighty and majestic, indomitable, heroic and tenacious national character.