Population Gallery

Playing the Rabana drum - Sinhalese - Colombo, Sri Lanka

Playing the Rabana drum - Sinhalese people - Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Maha (big) Rabana or Banku (bench) Rabana, played by two or more people at a time is used at wedding festivals and Sinhala New Year Celebrations in Sri Lanka. It also symbolizes the spring festivals of the country. Generally women are the best players of the Banku Rabana and a special system of Raban Pada is in practice among them. One reads out the beat loudly and plays it in collaboration with others. Some of the onlookers would enjoy the music with dance in order to tune it for better sounds. The Rabana (as can be seen on this card) is kept on three wooden trunks about 18 inches high and the leader kindles fire under the instrument so that it can be tuned for finer sounds. Date: circa 1910s

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

Erzurum, eastern Anatolia, Turkey, Ottoman Empire

Erzurum (Armenian - Karin), is a city in eastern Anatolia, Turkey. The name "Erzurum" derives from "Arz-u Rum" (literally The Land of the Romans in Persian). Largest province in Turkey's Eastern Region. Has belonged to Ancient Armenia, Persia, the Romans, the Seljuc Turks and the Ottomans. In Byzantine times it was known as Theodosiopolis. Date: circa 1830

Western Australia - Aborigine Elders ready for a Corroboree

Western Australia, Australia - Five Australian Aborigine Elders ready for a Corroboree (an an Australian Aboriginal dance ceremony which may take the form of a sacred ritual or an informal gathering, where participants interact with the Dreamtime through dance, music and costume). Date: 1910s

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