Year: 2006

Sort: Folk Music

Area: Shanxi Province

Serial No.: Ⅱ-56

Declarer: Linfen City, Shanxi Province

Weifeng gong and drum is a form of folk music that consists of an instrumental ensemble of drums, cymbals, gongs and small cymbals, and is characterized by simple, deep and powerful sounds.

Weifeng gong and drum originated in Linfen Prefecture in North China's Shanxi Province, and boasts a history as long as over 4,000 years.

The origin of Weifeng Drum dates back to Li Shimin, the first emperor of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Having put down a rebellion in Shanxi, his army celebrated his victory by playing Weifeng Drum. Since then, Weifeng gong and drum has spread far and wide and it is widely used in weddings and celebration ceremonies, gatherings and traditional festivities to welcome gods and exorcise evil spirits.