There are many different shapes of these drums, the most common ones I've seen used being the 장고 (jango), a taller, two headed drum with an hourglass shape, and, 북 (buk) a two faced, simpler drum. You'll see both in the video below. These drums are either carried on sashes, or propped on stands depending on whether the performance is stationary, or includes some mobile dance as well. While I have never seen a troupe of these dancers or drummers that is not all-female, I had a hard time finding any evidence of drumming or drum dances being traditionally a women's sport. It is said that the different pitches created by the two heads of the hourglass jango drum, are supposed to complement each other and represent man and woman. Both drums seem to have originated from the Goryeo period of Korean history, and were used in royal ceremonies, court dances, and the like. Performers are always dressed in traditional Korean attire with some sort of headband, and lots of makeup to accentuate the facial features.
Personally, my favorite part of the dances I have seen is the motion of the women's bodies as the play the drums. It seems they throw their entire weight into the drum, and do so in a synchronized way that is incredible to watch. Even their faces, heavily painted, move together so that at any point in time they look like a flip-book of still paintings. Often there are ribbons attached to the drum sticks to give their movement some color and softness that the rigid drumstick would not have on its own.
Have a great week, everyone!
-K
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