The H'gơr drum in the life of the Ê Đê people

The Ede people in the Central Highlands follow a matriarchal system, so the H'gor drum (female drum) holds immense significance. The H'gor drum is made from a single piece of natural wood, with both sides covered in buffalo hide. The drum is fixed on a K'pan chair in the living room of the long stilt house and is often used in conjunction with a gong ensemble.

Visitors can view and learn about the H'gơr drums on display at the Dak Lak Museum.

As someone knowledgeable about his people's traditional culture, Mr. Y Tong Nie from Mriu village, Cu Hue commune (Ea Kar district, Dak Lak province) said that the H'gor is the main drum, but it is made by the men of the village. After going to the forest to choose a large, straight, and non-hollow tree, the Ede people hold a ceremony to ask the spirits and ancestors for permission to cut down the tree to make the drum. After the ceremony, they cut down the tree and divide the trunk into sections of suitable size. At this point, the craftsman uses an axe to clean off the bark; the middle part of the wood is left intact, and the two ends are carved smaller than the drum body; the inside of the tree trunk is hollowed out until it reaches the necessary thickness to form the drum frame. After completing the carving of the drum's interior, the craftsman continues to use bundles of straw to heat and burn the inside. This step requires meticulousness and care because it affects the sound quality of the drum later. “The drum-making process is carried out continuously for many days until it is completed. However, when night falls, the drum makers rest and take turns guarding the drum. The guard must frequently tap the drum's body, with the meaning of warding off evil spirits, to prevent them from harming the owner of the drum,” Mr. Y Tong shared.

The unique feature of the H'gơr drum of the Ê Đê people is that both drumheads are covered with the hides of a male and female buffalo. The craftsman must carefully calculate the size to ensure there is neither too little nor too much hide. Before use, the buffalo hide is meticulously processed and dried, ensuring it remains flexible when stretched, but also not damp, as this would cause shrinkage during use. To secure the buffalo hide to the wood for the two drumheads, the Ê Đê people use sharpened nails made from the base of old bamboo, evenly spaced in a series of rings along the drum body at both ends and in the middle. Once the buffalo hide is stretched and securely fixed, the craftsman uses a sharp knife to cut off any excess hide and shave the hair from the drumhead, leaving the hair on the drum body intact. Both drumheads have a small, round hole, about 5-6 mm in diameter, which is drilled during the sound adjustment process to allow air circulation inside the drum. After the drum is completed in the forest, the Ede people hold a ceremony to bring it home. From there, the drum is placed permanently on the K'pan chair in the living room and is used to play along with the Knah gong set during important family ceremonies, signaling when someone in the family dies or during funeral rites.

For the Ede people, the H'gor drum is a precious asset, closely associated with family, clan, and village rituals from birth to death . In the past, drums were highly valued, sometimes exchanged for buffaloes or cows; the larger the drum, the wealthier the family. However, nowadays, drums are not used much in the villages, but the cultural and spiritual values ​​of the H'gor drums remain deeply ingrained in the minds of the Ede people.

Given the important role of the H'gơr drum in the life of the Ê Đê people, the Đắk Lắk Museum has recently collected a number of H'gơr drums for preservation and display for visitors, researchers, and admirers.

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/trong-h-gor-trong-doi-song-cua-nguoi-e-de-228393.html