Drums across millennia: Hechi's model for living heritage

Thousand-year-old bronze drums still ring out in Hechi, hailed as the "World's Hometown of Bronze Drums". Hechi city houses 1,458 surviving drums, with 1,388 still in community use, making it the global epicenter of intact, living bronze drum culture.

Folk events featuring bronze drums and mountain songs in Jingu town brim with exuberant energy. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

In 2023, Hechi became a national-level ecological protection zone, building a model that embeds heritage into daily life. Nongning Yao ethnic village in Donglan county is among those at its core – here, drums are integral to weddings, rituals and festivals, with children mimicking their beats to keep old traditions alive.

Nongning Yao village is known for its bronze drum culture and lush and green scenery. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

Craftsmen drive the vitality of this treasured heritage. Masters like Luo Mingjin preserve ancient casting techniques while innovating, securing national patents. Local workshops produce over 5,000 drums a year, selling them both in China and abroad, creating a sustainable cycle of cultural preservation and economic support.

Cultural events also expand its reach. Since 2021, more than 200 regular drum-themed gatherings have drawn 2.1 million visitors. Hechi's tourism integration includes five heritage routes and scenic spots, blending natural beauty with immersive cultural experiences.

Bronze drum cultural gatherings in Banlong village, Changjiang town. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

Backed by six local regulations and annual funding of over 2 million yuan ($278,000), Hechi boasts 13 national intangible heritage items and 125 inheritance venues. Some 350 schools now offer drum culture courses, ensuring those ancient rhythms endure as a bridge in China-ASEAN cultural exchanges and beyond.