The Đông Sơn Drum – Resonance of a Glorious Civilization

As a quintessential symbol of Đông Sơn culture - a radiant civilization that flourished from the 7th century BCE to the 6th century CE along the Red River Delta - the Đông Sơn drum is not merely a musical instrument, but a vivid testament to the craftsmanship, spiritual beliefs, and inner life of ancient Vietnamese communities.

A Legacy from the Era of the Hùng Kings
The Đông Sơn drum originated during the founding period of Văn Lang, the first state of the Lạc Việt people, ancestors of modern-day Vietnamese. They lived by hunting, fishing, cultivating wet rice, and developing sophisticated bronze-casting techniques. The midlands of Phú Thọ and surrounding northern provinces are considered the cradle of this unique form of bronze drum, where many precious artifacts have been unearthed by archaeologists.

Ancient Đông Sơn drum. Cre: Internet

Life Etched in Bronze
Each drum is a visual epic. At the center of its face, a multi-pointed star-symbolizing the sun-radiates amidst images of Lạc birds, warriors, people pounding rice, dancing, stilt houses, and boats. These scenes, both stylized and lifelike, reflect the worldview, beliefs, and lifestyle of the Đông Sơn people.

Its intricate motifs include concentric circles, serrated edges, geometric shapes, animals, and sacred birds - especially the Lạc bird, a totem of flight and national aspiration. All these elements together narrate a rich spiritual life - cast meticulously into a bronze surface less than half a meter wide.

Patterns and motifs on the Đông Sơn drum. Cre: Internet

A Sacred Emblem of Vietnamese Culture
Beyond their musical function, Đông Sơn drums symbolized authority and served as sacred objects in rituals and warfare. The resounding drumbeats once rallied communities and connected humanity with the heavens. Upon a leader’s passing, a drum would be buried with them - a mark of honor and status.

A Masterpiece from the Đại Bái Craft Village
The Đông Sơn drum currently on display at The Bloom is handcrafted by artisans from Đại Bái village, one of Vietnam’s oldest and most renowned bronze-casting communities. Once known as Bưởi Nồi, Đại Bái village in Gia Bình district, Bắc Ninh province, has been celebrated for over 1,000 years, with roots tracing back to the Lý Dynasty.

A lineage of master artisans following the legacy of Nguyễn Công Truyền - the village’s founding ancestor in bronze, has passed down their techniques through generations. From everyday items like pots and basins to exquisite art pieces like statues, reliefs, bells, and Đông Sơn drums, every item undergoes a meticulous process: mold creation, casting, melting, shaping, and detailed engraving.

A bronze casting artisan in Đại Bái village. Cre: Internet

Each product is a fusion of time-honored skills and contemporary creativity-visually stunning and rich in cultural meaning. Today, Đại Bái bronze has made its way to Japan, Korea, and various European countries, showcasing the enduring spirit of Vietnamese craftsmanship on the global stage.

At The Bloom, alongside other traditional handicrafts, the Đại Bái-crafted Đông Sơn drum stands as a vivid embodiment of cultural identity - a place where heritage and modernity meet in harmony.