Shuangliao Taiping Drum, also known as Jilin Single Drum (available in two sizes), is a single-sided drum with a handle. It is shaped like a round fan, with a flat iron bar as a circle, covered with donkey (or sheep) skin, and several small iron rings with twisted strips on the iron ring at the lower end of the handle, about half a foot long, wrapped with leather strips. Some have flowers, plants, figures and other paintings on the drum surface, and some have pompoms or flower spikes on the drum frame. During the performance, the left hand holds the drum, and the right hand holds a drum whip (made of bamboo, with red velvet spikes at the bottom), while dancing and hitting, the drum and the small iron ring make a rhythmic sound. The performance is combined with dance and rap (that is, singing while dancing), so it is a Northeast folk art that combines singing and dancing with rap. Shuangliao Taiping Drum has a long history and a clear spread. It was created before the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Qing Dynasty. Shuangliao, Jilin, was part of the ancient Fuyu Kingdom. The Book of the Later Han records that Fuyu Kingdom had "welcoming drums", and the Book of Jin records that "musicians danced with drums", which shows the origin of this kind of drum dance in the life of ancient Jilin people. There are also records of drum dance and round fan dance in the history books of the Tang Dynasty. Today's Taiping drum has a handle and is also in the shape of a round fan. Archaeologists have found a physical object similar to today's Taiping drum from cultural relics unearthed from Tang Dynasty tombs, which can be said to be well-documented. According to the saying passed down from generation to generation by Taiping drum artists, Taiping drum originated in the early Tang Dynasty. Legend has it that Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, led his troops to the east to conquer Goguryeo and beat Taiping drum according to local customs to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the Tang Dynasty. Since then, it has been passed down from generation to generation and spread in the Northeast and Guannei. The drum lyrics of Taiping drum in "The Second Emperor of Tang's Expedition to the East" still exist. Taiping drum in the Northeast is mainly used for ritual activities such as ancestor worship, fulfilling vows, and praying for blessings and thanking gods. Through this activity, people want to pray to the ancestors in heaven and underground to bless their homes and avoid diseases. It is a form of song and dance for sacrifice and celebration by the Manchu and Han people in Northeast my country. Shuangliao Taiping drum dance is rich and colorful, especially the solo dance performance of playing small drums is more prominent. The rhythm of the small drum solo dance is complex and changeable, and the drum beats are short and clear, like popping beans. Playing drums also has high skills. The drums are sometimes thrown up and sometimes rotated in the hands of the dancers. Sometimes they play one drum in each hand, with a variety of styles. Adding waist bells, it is even more impressive. Taiping drum artists move with the dance, waist bells jingle, single-skin drums and waist bells are played together, and the bells and drums are staggered, which is really hot and enthusiastic. In addition, there are performances of Overlord Whip, playing two-section sticks or seven-section whips. Sometimes there are also mixed sounds of swallowing fire, holding knives, and shouting. During the performance, most Taiping drum artists wear long gowns, wrap towels around their heads, and hold a single drum. The leader of the altar leads the singing, and everyone joins in. Sometimes, each person sings a sentence or half a sentence in duet or chorus, accompanied by drum beats. When running the Tianmen circle and the ghost circle, they also play small drums, overlord whips, seven-section sticks, etc. When sending off the gods, the leader of the altar wears god clothes (tied with cloud rolls), wears a god hat (with five-color cloth behind the hat, namely red, yellow, blue, white, and black, representing five ethnic groups), and wears a waist bell. The entire performance of Shuangliao Taiping drum can be divided into two parts: standing drum (walking drum) and dancing drum. Standing drum (walking drum) is from the opening of the altar to the running circle, and dancing drum is called after the running circle. Standing drum is mainly about telling stories, two people and one drum, one alternate. Dancing drum is mainly small drum, and others are accompanied by dance. Shuangliao Taiping drum is unique and is a treasure of folk art. It once had a wide influence among the people in Northeast China, but due to historical reasons and changes in people's living habits today, this folk art is tending to die out. Fortunately, since the 1970s, professionals have been sorting and excavating, and have carried out rescue work, which has enabled this folk art to be reborn. Information source: Jilin Province Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.) Information source: Jilin Province Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.)