There are 5 types of bamboo that are commonly used in Sri Lanka for crafting; they are Orientalis, Vulgaris, Vitata, Gigantius, Stridula. The more common varieties are yellow, green, and giant bamboo. Bamboo is generally used for weaving objects, such as baskets and mats. The stems of these species of bamboo are used to make crafts. Bamboo Canes with smaller diameters are split and used to woven to make the body of baskets and the thicker canes are used to make the frames and handles. The Bamboo are purchase from local suppliers; these reeds grow along the rivers and streams.
Sri Lanka has its own shapes and materials used for the production of traditional drums and therefore are also indigenous. This makes the drums in Sri Lanka unique and the rhythms played on them are also only from Sri Lanka.
The use of drums in Sri Lankan culture has created a very close bond between the drummer and the drum, as it has been used in all the significant times in one's life, at birth, death, healing ceremonies, rituals, religious festivals, in temples, war and even to get rid of loneliness. The drums were made for those who would use them during the course of their life time and leave for their children. Such people have also made their living by using the drums as villages were offered as rewards for the drummers who played regularly in the Buddhist temples and the Royal Palace.Drums have become a part of their lives. Initially drums were used to communicate to make royal announcements and even after the British rule, this tradition continued.
There are special rhythms used for the purpose of communication. Anyone who is conversant with these could easily identify what was happening at the time. There was ANA BERA (Bera is the Singhala word for Drum) which is a proclamation or an announcement from the king, VADA BERA indicates the taking away of a criminal for beheading, MALA BERA played while a dead body is taken to the grave and RANA BERA, drums used by the armies when they went to war.
Sri Lankan drums are made from wood and their sides covered with different types of animal skins depending on the drums. Even the type wood they use for each drum is different. There are specific trees from which the wood is taken for the making of a drum. Ehela, Kohomba and Jak are some of the trees they like to use to produce the drums. In the Jak tree, there are two varieties, one referred to as Waraka and the other as Wela; they prefer to use the wood of the Waraka tree.
Usually, people look for a tree that has grown in a village or near a waterfall, or even one that has been stuck with lightening. When they find a tree, they clean the area around the tree, pay homage to the tree and then bring it down at a favorable time. Tree trunk is then removed, buried under in the soil for a few days to absorb moisture. Then they take the tree out, clean and measure it.
A student will traditionally go to his master to learn the art of playing the drum. The student will first pay homage to the Buddha, then to the teacher, and at the favorable moment, the teacher will teach the student a basic rhythm. Dance and drums are also interconnected; there can be no dancing if there is no drum.
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| Geta Bera |
The Geta Bera is the main instrument use in the Kandyan Dance. The drum is made from the wood of one of the trees named above. The drum tapers towards the ends and the right side is covered with the skin of a monkey while the other is covered with the skin of a cow. The strings that go across the drum tightens the two skins are turned out of Deer hyde.
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| Yak Bera |
The Yak Bera is referred to by many names. This drum normally is used for the dances of the Low Country is used in many rituals performed at healing ceremonies for ridding of demons and other supernatural beings. The wood from Kohomba, Ehela, Kitul or, Milla trees are used to make this drum. It is a long cylindrical drum played with both hands. The voids on the sides are covered with a cow's stomach lining. This lining is very delicate and must be handled with care as too much of pressure will tear it. The two sides are tightened together with strings that go across the drum and they are made of cattle skin.
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| Dawula |
The Dawula drum which is very important for the dances that take place in many ceremonies in Buddhist temples. It is much shorter than the Yak Bera and is used diffeently. The right side is played with a stick referred to as Kadippu and the left with the hand. This drum is also used for communication purposes. The wood for it is taken from Kitul, Ehela, Jak, Milla and Kohomba trees. The body of the drum is painted and sometimes decorated with silver and brass coverings.
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| Thammattama |
The Thammattama has two parts; the high sounds are made by the right one and low sounds are produced by the left one. The wood used are from Kohomba, Ehela and Jak trees. The drum is played with two sticks with round ends and they are made of Kaduru.
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| Udekkiya |
The Udekkiya is the smallest drum used in Sri Lanka. One hand is used to drum and the other is used to control the sound by putting pressure on the strings. The drum is in an hour glass shape and is made from the wood of Ehela, Milla and Suriya trees. It is then painted with lacquer and the sides are covered with the skin of iguana, monkey or goat.
The Dakkiya is similar to the Udekkiya, only it is bigger in size. This is used mainly for rituals. The drum hangs off the player's shoulder and the sound is controlled by pressure on the strings.
The Bummadiya is the only drum made from clay. The opening is sealed with the skin of a monkey, goat or iguana. It is usually used during harvesting and is in the shape of a pot. It is hung off the shoulder of the player and played with both hands.
Hand Rabana is one foot in diameter and its wood comes from Jak and Milla trees. The skin used to cover the opening is that of a goat. Playing of the Rabana is usually accompanied by singing.
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| Bench Rabana |
This Bench Rabana is the biggest drum in Sri Lanka. It is normally placed on three or four wooden supports of the height of one foot. The players sit around the drum and play it with both hands. A small fire is sometimes lit under the Rabana to keep it warm and this helps it to give a better sound. This drum bis used for festivals and bis usually used by women.
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| The log gets chizzled into shape |
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| The drums get polished |
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| Cattle skin dries out in the sun, gets cut into shape and is slit |
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| The drum gets painted |
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| The black porous rock is ground into a powder that is put into the center of the drum |
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| The drum harnesses are fastened |
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