Damaru, two-headed ritual hand drum

The damaru was originally a double-sided percussion instrument made of human skull and covered with leather, which was used in funeral ceremonies. This drum is made of two hemispherical pieces of dark brown wood with a green painted leather covering that shows signs of use. A red cord is tied to the middle of the drum body, on which pearls and a silver ornament are strung. Attached to the cord is a long double silk ribbon with fringes at the end and Buddhist symbols and a double shou sign on it. There are bundles of red cords on both sides.