Darkhuang, also known as Zamluang (Jamluang) , is a large brass musical drum used as part of cultural activities of dance and festival revelry in the

State State may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Literature * ''State Magazine'', a monthly magazine published by the U.S. Department of State * ''The State'' (newspaper), a daily newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, United States * ''Our S ...

Mizoram Mizoram () is a state in Northeast India, with Aizawl as its seat of government and capital city. The name of the state is derived from "Mizo people, Mizo", the endonym, self-described name of the native inhabitants, and "Ram", which in the Mizo ...

in the northeastern part of India. It is a costly drum. Beating of this ''dar'' or drum or gong is known in the local

Mizo language The Mizo language, or ''Mizo ṭawng'', is a Kuki-Chin-Mizo language belonging to the Tibeto-Burman family of languages, spoken natively by the Mizo people in the Mizoram state of India and Chin State in Myanmar. The language is also known as ...

as "''Darkhuang-Tum''" and the central knob or boss is known as "''Darkhuang-Tum Pawn''". In ancient days it was an important musical instrument used to convey or exchange messages. It is also used to convey messages of mourning to distant areas and is therefore known as Zamluang. Since the last several decades it is used in the legislative assembly hall of the

Government of Mizoram The Government of Mizoram also known as the State Government of Mizoram, or locally as State Government, is the supreme governing authority of the Indian state of Mizoram and its 11 districts. It consists of an executive, led by the Governor of ...

to take quorum calls of the assembly at its every morning and evening sessions. This gong's cultural usage is also said to be as a dowry gift demanded by the bride's parents, which is attested by the following verse.

Types

The Darkhuang gongs were originally imported from

Myanmar Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British English speakers pronounce r at the end of syllables. As John C. Wells, Joh ...

(earlier known as Burma) in sets of three gongs with varying modulations giving sounds of emotion. However, Mizos have developed local types which are made in two sizes; the larger gong is known as Darkhuang while the smaller gong is called as ''Darmang;'' The collective name of the gongs is ''dar''. These instruments are commonly used during festivals, known as ''Khuangchawi'' or ''Thangchhua,'' where the '' Khuallam'' dance (a mixed-gender dance) is performed. A large Darkhuang gong measures 3.41 spans in circumference with a diameter of one span (unit conversion 1 span = 9 inches), and has a circular projection at the center which is struck to make the sound. As the drum is considered precious by the people of Mizoram it is normally kept in a basket and is taken out only on special occasions for use.

References

Bibliography * * * * * *{{cite book, last= Sharma , first=Vijay Prakash , title=The Hmars of Manipur: An Anthropological Exploration, url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YA5uAAAAMAAJ, year=1992, publisher=Anmol Publications, isbn=978-81-7041-631-9

Culture of Mizoram Drums