Mapang Drum Tower
» Guilin, Guang Xi

马胖鼓楼 拔地凌空,犹壮丽宫殿,堪称鬼斧神工,历经风雨,光彩依然

Of the approximately 160 drum towers which still exist in the region around Sanjiang County of Guangxi Province, the Mapang Drum Tower is the most famous. It is located in Mapang Village, 28 kilometers (over 17 miles) away from Sanjiang County. The original Mapang Drum Tower was constructed during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) and over the years has been damaged by fire several times. It was rebuilt in 1943.

Appreciate the typical architectural features

The Mapang Drum Tower, whose base is 169 square meters (about 0.04 acres), possesses all the typical architectural features of Dong drum towers. The tower is splendid in appearance, being the highest in the village. In construction, the structure adopts tenon-jointing approach, with parts crisscrossing vertically with each other. Not a single nail is used in the whole framework, but it is highly substantial in structure.

The importance of pillars in its construction

As soon as you enter the Mapang Drum Tower, you will see four indoor pillars made of fir that extend all the way to the top floor. Surrounding the four pillars are a group of twelve mid-sized pillars symbolizing prosperity for the village during the twelve months of the year. The tower adopts tenoned structure without any iron nail, that is, to dig through pillars of different sizes and connect with rabbets. Short and long wood bars insert and weave tightly and compactly, no matter in vertical or oblique ways, which forms the very firm structure.

Its top is covered with green tiles. The center of the ridge is sculptured with double birds' pattern. There are nine floor eaves in total, which shrink floor for floor and are supported by beams and pumpkin-shaped pillars. Each floor has upturned eaves, which are drawn with various patterns such as flowers, grass, fish and birds. Its body is covered with boards and railings; a fire pit is built in the center for warm when people assemble in winter; around it are equipped long wooden benches and platforms for relaxation and entertainment.

The frame of the whole drum tower is composed by nearly 1000 side columns, hanging columns, hewn timbers and beams weaving together vertically and obliquely. The main support comes from the 4 big pillars reaching the top, which stand in a circle around the center. Around them, there are 12 assistant pillars. So, the pillars divide the hall into three levels.

The huge skin drum in the tower

Upstairs on the second floor, you will see the most important and precious object in the Drum Tower - a large skin drum that gives the drum towers the name. The large square skin drum hangs from the girder and is used to summon the villagers if something urgent happens in the village. When the drum is beaten, the people in the village will come to the tower in response.

The function of the drum tower

The drum tower offers a place for various public activities of the villagers, such as get-togethers for either discussing important issues or entertainment. In the height of summer, the people come here to enjoy the cool weather, while in the cold winter; they are sitting by the fire to keep them warm.

On holidays, they gather together on the Drum-Tower Level Ground, competing in playing the reed wind instrument of Reed Sheng, dancing to the songs, brandishing lanterns, performing Dong dramas, and other entertaining activities.

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The most important and precious object in the Mapang Drum Tower is a large skin drum that gives the drum tower its name. The drum is used to summon the villagers if something urgent happens in the village.

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