Jiangnan Province, China
Chinese

Metal, wood, hide
19th century
Diameter: 7 in; Depth: 2.25 in
Membranophones – Struck Membranophones

The diangu (huaigu) is a double-headed frame drum of the Han Chinese in the Jiangnan province of central-eastern China.  It is used in sizhu (‘silk-bamboo’) ensemble music and to accompany in the Kungu opera.  This diangu has a thick wooden cylindrical frame with broad shoulders on both sides that slope inward from the rim toward the raised flat striking area (guxin) in the middle of the drum.  Both sides are covered with skin stretched across the middle and held in place by hand made tacks which also serve as decoration.  The tacks are laid out in two offset rows, one on top of the other, so that there are approximately 70 tacks per side.  A round line of separation  is worn, indicating use.  The diangu is played by striking the drum head with a single drum stick on one side.

Reference: ‘Diangu,’ Alan R. Thrasher, ‘Groves Dictionary of Music Instruments.” 2^nd ed. Vol 2. Lawrence Liben, Editor in Chief.  Oxford University Press.