The traditional wedge drum: A cultural treasure of the Red Dao in Ban Peo

Amid the mountains and forests of Ban Peo, Nam Dich Commune, artisan Hoang Van Sinh continues to preserve the traditional wedge drum-making craft of the Red Dao ethnic group. Made without metal nails, these unique drums are crafted using rattan strips, cowhide and hundreds of small wooden wedges. They serve not only as musical instruments in traditional rituals but have also become distinctive products attracting tourists.

Artisan Hoang Van Sinh and the wedge drum.

Having worked as a ritual master since the age of 30, after undergoing the Cap Sac initiation ceremony at 17, Sinh has a deep understanding of Red Dao customs and spiritual practices. For the local community, the wedge drum is more than a musical instrument. It is regarded as a sacred object connecting the spiritual and earthly worlds and serving as a means of communication between people, deities and ancestors.

The drum plays an important role in ceremonies such as the Cap Sac initiation ritual, the Ban Vuong worship ceremony, weddings, funerals and exorcism rituals. Its deep, resonant sound marks the beginning of ceremonies, conveying wishes for peace, good fortune and community solidarity.

Making a wedge drum requires meticulous craftsmanship and strict adherence to traditional spiritual customs. According to local practices, the instrument must be made in a separate shelter rather than inside the family home. Cowhide is cleaned, stretched over a frame and smoked over a low fire above the kitchen for a month to achieve the required dryness and durability.

The drum's most distinctive feature is its construction without metal nails. Rattan strips are used to secure the two drumheads, while 200 to 300 small wedges made from chinaberry or Chukrasia wood, each measuring around 3–4 cm long, are driven into the drum's body to hold everything firmly in place. Adjusting the tension and achieving the right sound require years of experience. Each drum typically takes two to three days to complete.

Hoang Van Sinh introduces his wedge drum products.

In the past, the craft was passed down mainly to sons within the family lineage to serve ancestral worship and ritual practices. In recent years, however, as experiential tourism has gained popularity in Ban Peo, the drums have attracted wider attention. Visitors come to learn about the traditional handmade production process and explore the cultural heritage of the Red Dao. Many purchase the drums as decorative items or souvenirs, with prices ranging from VND 1.6 million to VND 2 million each.

By preserving the wedge drum-making craft, Hoang Van Sinh is helping safeguard traditional cultural heritage while creating opportunities to develop distinctive tourism products, generate additional household income and promote the cultural identity of the Red Dao in Ban Peo.

Giang Lam