The Dhyāngro drum and the shamanic tradition of the himalayas
The dhyangro is a frame drum used by jhakri shamans across Nepal, India, and Tibet, particularly among ethnic groups including the Magars, Kirati, Tamang, Gurungs, and Sherpas. This instrument represents one of the oldest shamanic traditions in the Himalayan region, serving as an essential tool for spiritual practitioners who act as intermediaries between the human and spirit worlds.
The drum itself has a distinctive construction. It can be either single or double headed, with the double headed versions said to have male and female sides. The frame is made of wood with animal skin stretched over it, and the drum is equipped with jingles and played with a curved cane. Unlike most frame drums, the dhyāngro includes a handle, which is often elaborately carved with symbolic imagery representing spiritual concepts central to Himalayan belief systems.
The shamans who use these drums, known as jhakri or dhami in various Himalayan regions, represent one of the world's oldest continuous spiritual traditions. Shamanism in Nepal is deeply tied to animism, the belief that natural elements such as rivers, mountains, trees, and animals possess spirits. These practitioners serve multiple roles within their communities, functioning as healers, spiritual guides, and ritual specialists who maintain balance between humans and the natural world.
The selection of a shaman is not voluntary; individuals are believed to be chosen by spirits themselves through illness, dreams, or visions. This calling period often culminates in a transformative experience. Future shamans are said to be abducted by a forest spirit called ban-jhakri, who takes them to a subterranean lair for training before releasing them with spiritual knowledge. Following this initial spiritual awakening, apprentice shamans typically seek out experienced practitioners to refine their skills, establishing relationships that transcend normal social boundaries of caste and ethnicity.
The dhyāngro serves multiple functions in shamanic practice. During healing ceremonies, shamans use combinations of chanting, dancing, and drumming to restore balance when physical illnesses are traced to spiritual disturbances. The rhythmic patterns produced by the drum are believed to facilitate altered states of consciousness, allowing the shaman to communicate with spirits, ancestors, and deities. Jhakris perform rituals during weddings, funerals, and harvests, and are known for a practice called "Chinta", a form of voluntary spirit possession allowing brief communication between family members and deceased relatives.
The construction of the dhyangro handle carries significant symbolic weight. The carved handle typically features three faces representing different human emotions, indifferent, and joyful. Additional imagery includes sacred symbols from both Buddhist and Hindu traditions, reflecting the syncretic nature of Himalayan spiritual practices. This blending demonstrates how shamanic traditions have absorbed and coexisted with Buddhism and Hinduism whilst maintaining their distinct character.
These shamanic practices have been influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, Mun, and Bön rites, creating a complex religious landscape where multiple belief systems overlap. The dhyangro drum represents this convergence, being used both in traditional shamanic healing ceremonies and certain Buddhist rituals. This dual use illustrates the instrument's importance across different spiritual contexts within the Himalayan region.
Throughout the centuries, shamans and their drums have remained central to rural Himalayan communities, where modern medical facilities are scarce or absent. The sound of the dhyāngro echoing across valleys at night has become emblematic of these connected communities, reinforcing social bonds that extend beyond individual ethnic or caste identities. Despite modernisation and the spread of formal religious institutions, shamanic practices continue to thrive, particularly in remote areas where the dhyāngro's beat still calls upon ancient spiritual forces to address contemporary human concerns.
