The drum frame is made of bamboo or carved from a whole piece of wood. The upper mouth is thicker and the lower mouth is thinner. The shape is oblate. The upper mouth is covered with cowhide, sheepskin, pigskin or snakeskin on one side. The edge is fixed with double rows of drum nails, and the lower mouth of the drum frame is open.
Specifications and sizes vary, usually the diameter of the drum surface is 22 cm to 28 cm, the diameter of the lower opening of the drum is about 20 cm, the height of the drum frame is 4 cm to 5 cm, and the thickness of the wooden drum wall is 2.5 cm to 3 cm. The outside of the drum frame is painted with red paint, and the nails around the frame are decorated with colorful spikes.
The side drums popular in Wuming, Guangxi are smaller, with a diameter of 22 cm to 25 cm, and one side is covered with cowhide or snake skin; the side drums popular in Donglan and Bama, Guangxi are slightly larger, with a diameter of 25 cm to 25 cm. 28 cm, one side covered in sheepskin, pigskin or snakeskin.