 A man playing Chyabrung at Dharan (Limbuwan), Nepal | |
| Percussion instrument | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Membranophones |
| Inventor(s) | Limbu people |
TheChyabrung alsoKay/Ke inLimbu language is a traditional drum of theLimbu community inNepal,Sikkim,Darjeeling hills andNortheast India.The Chyabrung is a hollow, oblong, wooden drum about a two meters in diameter and two feet in length. The drum is strung around the neck with a cord at stomach height and played during auspicious festivalsChasok Tangnam of theLimbu community.[1][2]
The Chyabrung has two openings on either ends, each end being tightly stretched by cow and bull skin: on the right and left ends respectively. The face covered by cow skin produces a sharp treble tone whilst the face covered by bull/buffalo skin produces a flat bass sound.
The cow skin face is calledhuksagay and is played with the palm of the hand the bull side is calledsingsagay and played with a stick calledkay chhari.
The Limbus whilst playing the Chyabrung perform theChyabrung dance during the festivals ofChasok Tangnam andYalakma (Dhan Naach or rice harvest dance). The only music to the dance is the rhythmic beating of the Chyabrung and dancers execute synchronized and complicated foot work depicting graceful movements of wild animals and birds.[3][4][5]