Damaru, two-headed ritual hand drum

Mongolian Collection

Accession Nr.: 2022.107.1
Type: musical instruments; religious/ritual equipment
Date of production:
19th century
Place of production:
Materials: leather; wood
Dimensions: height: 8 cm
diameter:10 cm
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 dyed leather covering which is torn. A red silk ribbon is tied to the middle of the drum body,
to which the drum sticks are attached. The embroidered bands usually attached to the ribbon are missing.