The Wayaoyao Ceramic Drum of Wuchuan, Zhanjiang, dates back to the Tang Dynasty. A Guangdong provincial-level intangible cultural heritage item, it is handmade from local clay and is a distinctive musical instrument of coastal Lingnan folk culture.
The Wayaoyao Ceramic Drum appears at the CCTV Harvest Festival Gala. (Photo: CCTV-1)
The drum featured in the opening performance of the CCTV Harvest Festival Gala on September 23. National Model Worker Quan Wangxin carried the drum to the seashore and played its ancient rhythms against the rolling waves, showcasing Wuchuan's vibrant intangible cultural heritage and the joy of local communities celebrating a bumper harvest.
The Wayaoyao Ceramic Drum features intricate patterns. (Photo: Yao Yao)
Wuchuan sculptures recreate the making of the Wayaoyao Ceramic Drum. (Photo: Mai Sirong)
Originally known as the Long Drum and locally called "Dingpeng," the Wayaoyao Ceramic Drum is played across Wuchuan during the Lantern Festival, local annual rituals and other celebrations. Every step of its production is done by hand, from carving patterns into the clay to shaping the drum body. The kiln-firing process requires continuous temperature control for three days and two nights.
Author | Mai Sirong
