While in central Nepal, on the southern slopes of the Himalayas, Tibetan Buddhism (Lamaism) and Hinduism prevail, in the western and easternmost areas of the mountainous country remains of old Shamanism have survived (Bon religion). This includes everything that goes along with authentic Shamanism: its own ceremonies and implements for rituals, drums, dances with auxiliary spirits and trance trips into ‘other worlds’ etc. This is the case, for instance, with the mountain tribes of the Magar, Gurung etc. The present, very old Shaman drum originates from Nepal, probably from the Magar. It is a double-headed Rahman drum with a very beautifully crafted handhold made of wood. It displays above, on the actual drum, an all-round wreath formed from seven carved faces (the auxiliary spirits of the Shaman). On the lower, triangular part of the handhold a trident (‘Trishul’) made of brass is nailed on. Also on both sides of the leather drumhead is a trident (‘Trishul’) painted over in white. This trident is actually the symbol of the god Shiva in Indian Hinduism and was borrowed very early on as a sacred symbol in Nepalese Shamanism.
Height: 65 cm (drum with grip);
19th century. (ME)