Long Drum Dance - Korean Traditional Dance with Drum

The long drum dance comes from the Korean ethnic group. It was once part of the Nongle dance but later became a separate dance form. It includes both solo and group dances and is performed by women.

The long drum first emerged in China's interior and spread to the Korean Peninsula later, becoming the main percussion instrument. The Korean long drum has two sides, with thick ends and a thin middle. It is very important in Korean music and dance. The player hits the right side with a decorated bamboo stick and the left side with their hand. The right side makes a higher sound than the left, which allows the drum to produce many different rhythms.

When performing a long drum dance, the performer holds the drum in front of the body. They beat the left side with their hand and the right side with a bamboo whip. At the most exciting point, the performance becomes even more skilful, with various movements as well as exquisite poses. The dancer’s breathing follows the drumbeat, showing the gentle and graceful beauty of Korean women. As the dance goes on, the steps get faster, and the climax comes with complex drumbeats and spins.

Inspired in part by Dance of the Chinese Minorities (2006).