Wooden Bhutanese Damaru 13cm

Wooden Bhutanese Damaru 13cm for practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism. Made with sengdeng wood (acacia wood) and golden copper inner band, inlaid with turquoise and coral natural leather skins. Shell ring around the handle and imitation Dzi stone. The chöpen of the damaru is made of brocade and the box of cotton with velcro and threads to close. The brocade and the motives of the box can vary from the ones on the photo.

Damarus of all types are traditionally made with a long band or tail called a chöpen. The chöpen is attached to the end of the drum handle so that it wiggles while the drum is being played. They are commonly made of brocade or silk, using the colours of the tantric elements.

In the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, the damaru is part of a collection of sacred pieces and the musical instrument was adopted from the tantric practices of ancient India. These reached the Himalayas from the 8th to 12th century, persisting in Tibet as Vajrayana practice flourished, even when it disappeared into the subcontinent of India.

Hand drum (Skt.: damaru): a double-sided drum made of wood played in the right hand by twisting the wrist and causing the two beaters to beat against the taut skins of the drum usually made of leather or snakeskin. The damaru is a common ritual object of India. In Tantric Buddhism the drum is often placed alongside the two main ritual objects, the vajra and the bell. The dissipating sound of the drum represents emptiness.

Diameter: 13.5cm x 11.5cm