“Rakhine drums are in high demand now. We only sold 10 drums last year. This year, we have sold over 100 drums. Local and foreign demands have become higher,” said U Maung Thar Aye, a drum maker from Bandoola Ward in Mrauk U.

Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Sittwe, Kyaukpyu, and Gwa townships have been ordering the Rakhine drums, he said.

“[The Rakhine drums] have been sold in all 17 townships here. Orders have been placed from even Gwa Township. Rakhine organizations from abroad have also placed orders,” he continued.

Rakhine organizations that have ordered the Rakhine drums are from Australia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Orders have also been placed from Yangon and Hpakant in the Kachin State, according to him.

“The drums are in demand because nearly every village in the Rakhine State has a Rakhine drum [performance] group. There are groups in every ward in the towns so many drums have been sold this year,” said U Maung Thar Aye.

A Rakhine drum costs between Ks 120,000 to 170,000.

He explained that it takes at least five days to make a Rakhine drum and they have to be made before the monsoon starts.

U Maung Thar Aye had to do other works besides making drums in the past years as the business was not doing well.

“I had to do carpentry as well. It gradually started to make headway now. Now, I don’t do carpentry anymore. I only make the drums,” he said.

Big drums measure 14 inches in diameter and 27 inches in length and small drums measure 10 inches in diameter and 26 inches in length.

Rakhine historian U Oo Thar Tun (deceased) and instrumentalist U Maung Thar Doe invented the Rakhine Mingalar drum in Mrauk U, according to U Maung Thar Aye.

Rakhine historical documents show that Rakhine drums, which have been treasured by the Rakhine people, have been played grandly together with the performance of Rakhine lyrical ode on seasons, love, etc in auspicious ceremonies since the days of Rakhine kings.