Thailand
Thailand Hill People

Wood, water buffalo hide, paint/stain, rice, charcoal
Late 19th – Early 20th century
Height: 26.5 in; Diameter: 9.75 in
Membranophones – Struck Membranophones

This Thailand klong yao (klawng – generic name for drum) is a tall single-headed goblet-shaped wood pedestal drum associated with the Thailand Hill People/Tribes.  The Thai call this type of drum klong yao, meaning ‘long drum.’   It is essentially a wartime drum, believed to have crossed to Thailand from Myanmar during their bitter wars and was played by Thai soldiers during the lulls or truces, in particular the Burmese-Siamese War (1849-1855).   

It has a flared base with several stylized rings along the stem-like stand which is painted/stained a dark brown color.  The water buffalo skin drumhead is tied on with long hide strips covering the entire resonator body.  There is a thick circular spot made from a mixture of rice paste and charcoal at the center of the drumhead, creating a second pitch.  It is generally slung over the shoulder and played with the hands, but sometimes with other parts of the body such as elbows, knees, heels and even the head. Today it is played at festival parades in Thailand. It is the equivalent of the Cambodian skor chhaiyam.