INGENIEUR
INGENIEUR
congregate in the lower pavilions of the tower , gathering there in the evening , dancing and listening to traditional folk songs . The harvesting period in particular would attract residents , especially young boys and girls , to perform festive dances around the drum tower .
A long drum hangs at the top floor of the drum tower , with a wooden ladder leading up to the top of the tower . One can climb up and beat the drum to indicate vigilance . The drum tower is equipped with a leather drum , which is used to summon people and alert security . If the drum beats are dense and long-lasting , it means that there is a call for help and the neighbouring villages should immediately organise teams to go to their rescue ; if they are dense and short , it means that the situation is urgent and people from the village need to rush to the drum tower immediately ; if the beats are dense and have an accent in the back , it means that there is a hunt for robbers or a combat mission wherein the young and strong men must bring dry food and weapons to the drum tower immediately .
Photo 8 : One of the several Drum Towers at Chengyang village with villagers gathering outside and inside the tower for leisurely social gatherings over tea .
Photo 9 : A central timber trunk as main column joined laterally with series of beams and sub columns to reach the top of drum tower with a drum installed at the top .
76 VOL 95 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2023