War drum performance in Togtoh county

By Zhao Xiao (chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2017-02-15

Locals play the Shouyang war drums in a town of Togtoh county, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Feb 10. [Photo/people.cn]

Folk performers played the Shouyang war drums, a traditional instrument with a history dating back over 300 years, to celebrate Lantern Festival in a town of Togtoh county, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Feb 10.

Originating from Shouyang, Shanxi province, the Shouyang war drum is usually 1-meter high with a diameter of 1.5 meters. The drum performance is always accompanied by traditional Chinese instruments including cymbals, circular brass percussion instrument played in pairs by striking them together, and gongs, round piece of metal that hangs in a frame and makes a loud deep sound when it is hit with a stick.

Han Youzhan, a 68-year-old man, is the fourth generation in his family to play the Shouyang war drums. As part of local folk performances, the Shouyang war drums are popular with local residents, particularly people in Inner Mongolia’s Tumd area and its surrounding regions, according to Han.

Locals perform the Shouyang war drums in a town of Togtoh county, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Feb 10. [Photo/people.cn]