Ekkarat Village and Long Drums

Ekkarat Village is located in Ang Thong province, Thailand, known for its craftsmanship of long drums. Long drums, also known as Klong Ekkarat, are a traditional Thai musical instrument widely used in cultural festivals and events.

In June 2021, Klong Ekkarat was granted Geographical Indication (GI), becoming the 156th product of Thailand and the first product of Ang Thong province to receive GI. This not only marked the completion of the “One Province, One Geographical Indication Product” project but also affirmed the cultural and artistic value of Ekkarat Village.

Situated behind Pa Mok Market, along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Ekkarat Village is easily recognizable with its scattered drum shops and workshops on both sides of the street. This distinctive scene is a highlight that identifies Ekkarat Village. Here, you can find various types of drums, ranging in size and shape. Among them are distinctive drums like Poeng Mang – a traditional musical instrument played in a set of 7 small skin-faced drums arranged in an arc.

Thon and Rammana are two types of hand-played drums, often used in pairs in traditional Thai music. Thon drums have a shape resembling a tall cup, with the drum body made of ceramic or wood, suitable for deep, low sounds. Meanwhile, Rammana drums have a small circular frame, resembling a disc, suitable for high and resonant sounds.

Taphon is a barrel-shaped drum with two heads, played by hand and fingers. It is one of the common drums in Thai folk music, often performed in major cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai. In religious ceremonies at temples, Taphon is often used to produce sacred sounds during the worship of deities. Therefore, Taphon is considered a sacred musical instrument in Thai culture and is often kept at a higher status than other musical instruments.

Klong Tad, a large barrel-shaped drum, is often played in pairs and struck with sticks. Klong Khaek (Indian drum) is a barrel-shaped drum with two heads, typically played in pairs by two people and struck by hand.

Klong Puja drum is cylindrical with two faces, commonly used in northern Thailand in religious ceremonies, welcoming guests, and announcing important events. The drum body is usually made of hard wood, with the drumheads made of cowhide or deer hide. The drum is typically played as a set consisting of one large drum and three small drums, struck with sticks.

Klong Yao is a long drum worn over the shoulder and played by hand. This drum is often elaborately decorated and used in processions during festivals in Thailand.

Ekkarat Village has about 20 households specializing in drum production and craftsmanship. The drum-making process begins with cleaning and treating the leather – usually cow or buffalo hide – using herbs to prevent decay and mold. This process is considered a traditional secret within the Ekkarat community. The leather is then stretched and dried. While waiting for the leather to dry, craftsmen work on the drum bodies. For large-sized drums, craftsmen use a whole tree trunk and meticulously hollow it out using machines because they measure the drum body by eye rather than using measuring tools.

Once the shape is complete, the drum bodies are decorated with patterns and polished. The next step is covering the leather and stretching the drumheads. Craftsmen use metal tools to stretch the drumheads for a certain period to avoid the shrinkage of the leather. The drumheads are then secured with wooden pegs or animal bones. Once completed, the drumheads may be decorated with patterns. Ekkarat Village is located in a floodplain with a tropical climate, where banana, jackfruit, mango, and santol (wild mangosteen) trees thrive, providing an ideal source of materials for drum bodies.

This riverside village along the Chao Phraya River is the birthplace of various drums with diverse shapes and sounds, renowned worldwide. However, when Ekkarat is mentioned, people often think of Klong Yao – the symbol and pride of the community. In front of the Village Chief’s house, the world’s largest Klong Yao drum is displayed as the community’s pride (3.7m wide and 7.6m long). This drum was created in 1994 and completed after one year.

Drum-making has become part of the cultural heritage of the community and continues to be passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, the Ministry of Commerce selected Ekkarat as one of the 10 prototype creative economic communities in 2011. It is the finest village for drum making and repair in Thailand, serving as a typical example of the “one village, one product” model in Ang Thong.