These are exquisite reproductions of the Maranao temple drums that in the past the sultan would use to call his people to town meetings.
Manila, 2009
I found them at a native craft market called Tiendesitas, but they were likely made by traditional woodcarvers in Lanao del Sur on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. The Maranao tribe, largest of the indigenous Muslim Moro ethnic group, is well-known and admired for their beautiful arts and crafts - weaving, wood and metal craft - as well as their epic literature.
The one question I had that I could not find an answer to is why they are called temple drums when followers of Islam worship in a mosque.
Today I am joining Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday where the letter of the day is D. You'll be surprised how many creative posts "D" can make.
Aren't they gorgeous? Fabulous work, Francisca -- by the drum makers, and by you.
ReplyDeleteK
I love the lighting in that top shot, Francisca.
ReplyDeleteA few years back I overcame my disappointment upon seeing reproductions of something older. By the time I see the reproduction it is often hundreds of years old itself.
I have withdrawn from memes for a while. I have just so much writing to do that I have restricted time for visiting. If I manage 20 visits a day, that is as much as I can do. Memes are such a lot of work.
Beautiful craftsmanship. I wonder how they sound?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful workmanship! Also, very nice photos. I'm loving this photo tour!
ReplyDeleteThe drums are indeed beautifully carved. Interesting: temple and mosque. Maybe something has been lost in the translation?
ReplyDeleteI would lve one as a side table they are beautiful
ReplyDeleteFeel free to pop by
http://edenhouse7.blogspot.com/2010/10/alphabet-thursday-d-is-for-daughters.html
Very interesting post. I think they are such pretty works of art too. I wonder what they sound like? Thanks for sharing, joining you from Alphabet Thursday.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful craftsmanship in those drums! It IS interesting why they are referred to as temple drums :-)
ReplyDeleteI woud be very much interested as to what you find out about these drums. They a beautiful!
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. The craftsmanship of those temple drums is just amazing. Good question about the name of the drums -- probably just a translation thing?
ReplyDeleteVery unique and interesting post for the Letter D. Exquiste craftsmanship in the drums and lovely photos. In Texas we have markets that are called LaTienda's, and most things found there are from Mexico.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are exquisite! I'd love to have one sitting in my hallway....
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful! What wonderful things to have!
ReplyDeleteThese are so beautiful and very intricate. I am glad I came over. Come see me. Thanks,Anne
ReplyDeleteThese remind me of carvings and ceramics in Sarawak on the island on Borneo. It's interesting that the arts in a region share a lot of similarities; such as the roof in your previous photo looking very similar to Chinese roofs.
ReplyDeleteA very good question, Francisca. This drums are so beautifully detailed. I'm guessing cultural influence lead to the use of the word "temple".
ReplyDeleteB is for BREATHTAKING,
ReplyDeleteE is for EXQUISITE.
Loved this!!
Those carvings are magnificent! Seriously gorgeous photos! They must take much time and much talent to make these! I don't remember seeing anything like this in Mindanao, but I do remember the sound of drums :-D
ReplyDeleteReally exquisite carvings!
ReplyDeletethose drums do look amazing ...
ReplyDeleteExquisite is right!! I love the first shot. Great D post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a find. Those drums are amazing!
ReplyDelete=)
What a fascinating stop on our little journey through Alphabe-Thursday's letter "D".
ReplyDeleteI googled to find out the reason for the name with no luck. You made me curious.
These are truly works of art.
I enjoyed this descriptive and fascinating stop this week.
Thank you for linking.
A+
I don't care if these are reproductions, for what I see and know, they are beautifully made!
ReplyDeleteAt first I thought they were some kind of vases. And I thought they were ceramic.
ReplyDeleteShows how much I know!
Exquisite is, I think, the right word. And elegant.
I remember reading about Mindanao in the WWII novels of W.E.B. Griffin...an American officer set up an outpost there and collected a motley crew of Americans and natives and harassed the Japanese throughout the rest of the war. Griffin used many actual historical occurrences in his novels.
These drums are beautiful! Maybe they're called temple drums because they predate the Muslim religion in that area.
ReplyDeleteSu-sieee! Mac
This and That. Here and There. Now, Sometimes Then.
Wow! such craftsmanship. They are absolutely beautiful. i love your post! Visiting fro Jenny's.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful drums! I read your article about 'where home is' for you. What a fascinating story.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visitng my D-post for Mrs. Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday, round 2 - D.
I added another dog. I don't think just two kinds of dogs is enough. I was lucky enough to find this woman who owns a beautiful white dog that the children usually pet when we see them. So I took some pics and this time it was not a perfect stranger.
Please visit again when ever you have the time.
Also, my cat Sara has a post for Mrs. Denise Nesbitt's ABC-Wednesday - M. Sara chose an M-word that is also a part of the animal kingdom.
Visit whenever you have the time. I am leaving links here:
For Sara's post:
Sara Cat's abcWED-round-7-M
For another look at my D-post:
Anna's D-word Alphabe-Thurs
Best wishes,
Anna
The carvings a lovely. Thank you for sharing the wonderful pictures and the back ground on the drums.
ReplyDeleteThe few times I've been to Tiendesitas, I spend most of it in this area. I'd love to bring one of these drums home, and a kulintang too. Gorgeous!
ReplyDelete