Tribal 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

Chad - Cupping - Indigenous medicinal practise

Chad, Central Africa - Cupping - Indigenous medicinal practise. Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a local suction is created on the skin; practitioners believe this mobilises blood flow in order to promote healing. Suction is created using heat (fire), mechanical devices or the use of a tube or horn (as shown on this postcard). Date: circa 1930s

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

Vietnam - Musicians of the Mois (Binh Thuan Province)

Vietnam - Musicians of the Mois (Binh Thuan Province). The Mountain People ('Mois is actually a derogatory term) are The Degar, also known as the Montagnard, the indigenous peoples of the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Date: circa 1906

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

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