Category: Ritual Objects | Tradition: Vajrayana Buddhism and Hinduism | Origin: Nepal, India, and Tibet
A damaru looks small and simple, but making a good one takes skill. The two wooden halves must match, the skins must be stretched evenly, and the strikers must be tied so that the drum gives a clear, steady rhythm when the wrist turns. Traditional damarus are carved, assembled and finished largely by hand, which gives each drum its own character and its own voice. This guide walks through how a damaru is made, from the choice of wood to the final sound test, explains the main techniques such as carving, stretching the heads and tying the strikers, and shows why handcrafted drums differ from one another. The steps below describe the traditional approach used in Himalayan craftwork. Exact methods vary between workshops and between drums, depending on the size, the materials and the level of decoration.
The Tradition of Himalayan Craftwork
Nepal's Kathmandu Valley has been known for centuries for its sacred art and ritual objects. The skills are often passed down within artisan families, and the valley's workshops have long produced statues, bells, drums and other objects for Buddhist and Hindu use. Woodcarving, working with hide and cord, and hand decoration are the foundation of this tradition, and all three go into a damaru. Because the drum is made of natural materials that respond to the weather and to handling, a maker's experience shows in how well the drum holds its tone.
Step 1: Choosing the Wood and Planning the Drum
Making a damaru begins with a plan. The maker decides on the size of the drum, whether it is a small hand damaru or a larger Chöd drum, and chooses a piece of wood that is light and workable and well dried. Seasoned wood matters, because wood that is still damp can warp or crack as it dries and would pull the drum out of shape. The decoration is planned too, whether the body will be left plain, carved or painted, and whether the drum will have a cloth cover, metal bands or a brocade tail.
Step 2: Carving the Two Halves
The body of a damaru is made of two matching halves, each shaped like a small bowl. The maker cuts and carves each half from the wood, sometimes with the help of a lathe, hollowing out the inside and shaping the outside into a smooth curve that narrows at one end. The thickness of the wood is checked as the carving goes on, because a wall that is too thick makes the sound dull, and one that is too thin can crack. The wide rim of each half is shaped so that the skin will lie flat and tight across it, and the narrow end is prepared for joining.
Step 3: Joining the Halves
When the two halves are ready, they are joined at their narrow ends to form the hourglass shape. The join is made firm, so that the two halves hold together under the pull of the stretched skins, and the narrow waist is smoothed and trued so that it is comfortable to hold. The maker checks that the two halves are the same size and that the drum is straight, since a drum that is uneven will sound uneven and will be awkward to play.
Step 4: Preparing the Skins
The two heads are made from animal hide, such as goat or sheep skin. The skin is cleaned and prepared, and then cut into rounds somewhat larger than the openings of the drum. It is usually soaked and softened so that it can be stretched without tearing. The maker chooses skin of an even thickness for the two heads, since heads that differ too much in thickness will sound unlike each other. Some modern drums use a synthetic membrane in place of hide.
Step 5: Stretching and Fitting the Heads
The skins are stretched over the open ends of the drum and fastened to the body with cord or leather strips. The maker pulls the skin evenly all the way round, so that it is tight and smooth, and ties or laces it so that it holds. As the skin dries, it shrinks and tightens, which brings it to its final tension. The cord or leather used for fastening may be tied in a plain way or laced in a decorative pattern, depending on the design. Even tension on both heads is the key to a clear, balanced sound.
Step 6: Adding the Striker Cords
The two striker cords are attached near the waist of the drum. Each is a short cord that ends in a knot, a small bead or a weighted tip. The maker adjusts the length of the cords and the weight of the beads so that they swing out and strike the heads cleanly when the wrist is turned. Cords that are too long or too heavy make the sound sluggish, and cords that are too short may not reach the skins. Small changes here make a clear difference to the sound.
Step 7: Decoration and Finishing
After the drum is assembled, it is decorated and finished. The wooden body may be sanded, polished, carved or painted with patterns. Some drums are covered with silk, cotton or brocade, and some have metal bands of brass, copper or silver, or set stones. A silk or brocade tail is tied to the waist, often in bright colors with woven patterns, which gives the drum its finished look. Each decorative step is done by hand, and the maker takes care that the decoration does not interfere with the heads or the strikers.
Step 8: Testing the Sound and Final Inspection
At the end, the damaru is played and checked. The maker listens to the sound, checks that both heads give a clear and even tone, and makes small adjustments to the tension of the heads or to the strikers if needed. The body, the join, the fastenings, the decoration and the tail are also looked over, and any flaw is corrected. Once the drum passes, it is placed in a cotton case, which protects it from dust and moisture, and made ready to be sent out. This final check is one reason handmade drums are valued: each one has been listened to and looked over by people who know the craft.
Why Every Handcrafted Damaru Is Different
Because so much of the work is done by hand, and because the materials are natural, no two damarus are exactly alike. Small differences in the shape of the body, the tone of the wood, the tension of the heads and the weight of the strikers are natural, and they are signs of handwork and not flaws. Each damaru has its own voice. A machine-made drum can look perfectly uniform, but a handcrafted damaru carries the character of the maker and the workshop. Many buyers value this individuality, which is why each drum is described on its own product page.
How Our Damarus Are Made
Our damarus are handcrafted by skilled artisans using traditional techniques, carving, assembling and finishing each drum by hand. Each is made with a wooden body and stretched skin heads, and is shipped with a silk tail and a cotton case. Because the work is handmade, finishes, sizes and sounds vary, so each product page lists the materials and details of that drum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a damaru made by hand?
Traditional damarus are carved, assembled and finished largely by hand. Some stages may use tools such as a lathe, but the detailed work, the stretching of the heads and the finishing are done by skilled makers.
How is the body of a damaru made?
It is carved from wood in two matching halves, each shaped like a small bowl, which are joined at their narrow ends to form the hourglass shape.
How are the heads attached?
The skins are stretched over the open ends of the body and fastened with cord or leather strips. As the skin dries it shrinks and tightens, which brings it to its final tension.
How are the beads attached?
Two short cords are tied near the waist, each ending in a knot, a bead or a weighted tip. Their length and weight are adjusted so that they strike the heads cleanly.
How long does it take to make a damaru?
It depends on the size, the materials and the level of decoration. A simple drum takes less time than one that is carved, painted and covered, and the heads need time to dry.
Why does each damaru sound slightly different?
Because the wood, the skins and the cords are natural materials and everything is shaped and tied by hand, every drum has its own voice.
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Read more: What Is a Damaru? | What Is a Damaru Made Of?