The earliest reference to the drum in China is in the Pottery Age. The Zhou dynasty established the drum music institution that was responsible for the management of officials known as “drum men” and developed a complete drum music system. From then on， drums came to be used in those practices such as sacrifice， military， labor and other activities.

In ancient China， agriculture was the main form of production and drums were considered indispensable for a good harvest. Since the sound of drums echoes that of thunder， it was believed that playing drums could attract rain and nourish crops. So the instrument was used to pray to the gods for good weather and to “communicate” with them. In each year， the emperor held a ceremony to worship heaven and earth， and drum music was heard alongside.

Drums also played a part in the war. Because of a strong resonance effect， the drums sound can go long distances while striking fear in the heart of the enemies. So the drum had been used as a military booster for a long time.

中國鼓始于陶器时代。周朝设立了专职管理鼓乐的机构，负责管理的官吏被称为“鼓人”，同时制定了一套完备的鼓乐制度。从那时起，鼓就已经规范地用于祭祀、军事、劳作和其他活动中。

中国古代社会以农业生产为主，鼓也是人们生产生活中一种不可或缺的器物。由于鼓声似雷霆，古时人们认为打鼓可以引来雨水，滋润农作物生长。因此，鼓被用于向神灵祈祷风调雨顺，与神灵“沟通”。每年皇帝都会举行祭祀天地的仪式，鼓乐响彻了千年时空。

鼓在战争中也发挥着作用。由于强烈的共振效应，鼓声可以传得很远，同时激起敌人心中的恐惧。所以在很长一段时间里，鼓被用于军事助威。

In the Tang and Song dynasties， the society was thriving and drums were put to wide uses. The national band， drama， folk art， song and dance， boat racing， lion dance， festive assembly and labor competition were all accompanied by the beats of drums. The sound of drums became synonymous with celebrations， filling hearts with joy.

Dozens of types of Chinese drums exist today. For instance， “Taiping Drum” is used to express hope for peace and prosperity while “Ansai Waist Drum” is meant to show the spirit of the Loess Plateau and the heroic character of farmers in Northwest China. Kaifeng has “Pan Drum”， and Luochuan of Shaanxi Province is known for its “Bie Drum”. There are also some cheerful and time-honored drum dances such as “Fengyang Flower Drum” in Anhui Province and “Fishing Basket Flower Drum” in Jiangsu Province.

The prosperity of drum culture reflects the stability and prosperity of Chinese society. For thousands of years， the drum beats have been played in the backdrop as the society lives in peace and contentment.

唐宋时期，社会繁荣，鼓得到广泛应用。民族乐队、戏剧、民间艺术、歌舞、赛船、舞狮、节日集会和劳动竞赛都离不开鼓乐。鼓声成了庆祝活动的代名词，使人们心中充满欢乐。

如今的中国鼓，已然有数十个鼓种。例如，用来寄寓人们对太平盛世、五谷丰登的向往的“太平鼓”；展现黄土高原气概、西北农民豪迈性格的“安塞腰鼓”。河南开封有“盘鼓”，陕北洛川有著名的“蹩鼓”。还有一些欢快而古老的鼓舞，如安徽的《凤阳花鼓》、江苏的《渔篮花鼓》。

鼓文化的兴盛反映了中国社会的稳定和繁荣。几千年来，安居乐业的社会环境必然伴随着鼓乐齐鸣的盛景。

Word Bank

indispensable /'?nd?'spens?bl/ adj. 不可或缺的

pray /pre?/ v. 祈祷；祷告

worship /'w????p/ v. 敬奉；崇拜

accompany /?'k?mp?ni/ v. 伴随；陪伴

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