Photo 7d : Sample of lateral joints into column and roof truss multi-tie system at the village meseum .
Dong ’ s Drum Tower
Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County is famous for its large number of well-preserved wooden drum towers and “ wind and rain ” bridges . There are 108 “ wind and rain ” bridges and 159 drum towers in the county . Among them , Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge and Mapang Drum Tower are the most famous . Both are popular destinations in Sanjiang .
The history of the Dong Drum Tower dates back to the olden days when the villages , by being situated in the remote mountain region , were often the target of villain attacks . The drum tower , which is normally situated at the center of the village , serves to gather the villagers for collective defence measures . The drum at the top of the tower serves to alert the villagers when situations arise .
As a symbol of Dong villages , Drum Towers serve as the embodiment of the Dong people ’ s exquisite building skills and technology . Similar to the wind and rain bridges , the whole construction of the structure is finished without a nail or a rivet . The interior and exterior of the drum towers are often colourfully painted with scenes from Dong folk tales , legendary heroes , landscapes , animals and of activities such as ox-fighting and festive dancing . Aspects of daily life are likewise portrayed , such as playing musical instruments , hunting , spinning , weaving and dyeing , cooking . There are also carvings of dragons , snakes , tigers , geese , etc . In the past , when enemies invaded , Zhaoxing villagers assembled with their weapons at the tower to await orders from the head of their clan .
The Dong drum tower not only serves as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity but also a symbol of Dong ’ s culture . It is a place for folks to gather to relax , for social occasions such as a venue to receive guests , for meetings and as a centre for communication .
The drum towers are the highest and the most respected buildings among villagers . During festivals and special meetings , villagers always
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