Dong: A sea of folk songs under the drum tower
As this book's author Ouyang Dalin wrote that the Dong drum tower is a fir-structured pyramid-shaped building built without a single nail using a tenon structure. It is a comprehensive display of Dong folk construction skills. Beyond its massive presence, the drum tower is also the political and cultural center of Dong society. It plays an irreplaceable role in conferences, assemblies and amusements. Over time, its defense function faded. However, it continued to function for greetings, goodbyes and meetings. When guests arrived, enthusiastic Dong people will set "roadblocks" in front of the village gate, greeting guests with mellow rice wine, passionate songs and sheng (a wind pipe).
