The Miao Monkey Drum (Pinyin: Miáozú hóu gǔ), called Gan Na in Miao language, is a unique musical instrument of the Miao people. It is named after the accompaniment "Monkey Dance". Also called flower drum. In the old days, shamans used to falsely call it "barbaric drums". Popular in the Miao areas of Guizhou, Hunan and other provinces. Monkey drums are used in festivals such as the Miao people's cattle-eating feasts, spring tours in the first month and autumn festivals and other occasions, and the scenes are lively and lively.
The drum frame is made of fir boards and is cylindrical in shape. The two ends are thin and the middle waist is slightly thicker. The diameter of the drum surface is 58 cm, the height of the drum is 70 cm, and the diameter of the drum waist is 68 cm. A drum ring is placed on one side of the drum frame, which is convenient for strapping and hanging. The drum is made of wood, straight rod-shaped, and the drum is 35 cm long.
When playing, the drum is placed horizontally on a trapezoidal drum stand with a height of 150 cm. The player holds a chime in each hand to play. Usually, the left hand strikes a fixed rhythm, and the right hand strikes a variety of flower points. There are drums with various rhythms in the folk. There are drum hearts, drum rims and drum frames in the striking parts, which emit sounds such as "dong, cut, da" respectively. The drummer dances while beating. This is the "Monkey Dance" of the Miao people. There are various forms of single dance, duet and multi-person dance. Along with the monkey drum, there are instruments such as trombone, suona, snare drum, gong and cymbal.