Zhaoxing Drum Towers

As a symbol of the Dong village, the Drum Tower has a rigorous architectural structure and exquisite craftsmanship. The entire construction does not require a single nail or rivet, so it is also a concentrated expression of the architectural skills of the Dong nationality. The Drum Tower integrates towers, pavilions and pavilions into one, with the majesty of the tower, the beauty of the pavilion, and the elegance of the pavilion.

There is usually a drum hanging on the Drum Tower. In the past, when the village was invaded by foreign enemies, caught fire, discussed important matters in the village, or had other urgent matters to call the village elders and villagers, they would go up to the tower to beat the drum, hence the name of the Drum Tower.

The Drum Tower was built by the village people with input and materials, and raised funds. The whole building is made entirely of fir, designed and built by Dong skilled craftsmen.

There are no blueprints for the entire building, and the dimensions of hundreds of beams, squares, and columns are all calculated by heart. There are many skilled craftsmen of this kind, especially in Liping, Guizhou. The drum towers of the Dong nationality built in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Japan all went to Liping to hire craftsmen.

A large drum is hung on the top floor of each drum tower, and the drum is in charge of the village elders. For major events such as fire alarms and robbery police, they are ordered to go up the tower and beat the drums.

Throughout the year, the villagers sit around the fire hall after working and talk about interesting farm affairs. During festive festivals, men, women and children wear festive costumes and carry out entertainment such as stepping on the singing hall, "carrying officials", "racing Lusheng", and singing Dong opera. Activity.

According to Dong folklore, the Drum Tower originated from the Dong family's natural worship of fir trees, and is a concrete and materialized form of natural worship. Ancient documents record that the ancestors of the Dong nationality "buried giant trees in the ground as buildings, several feet high, and singers lived on them at night."