A Lambeg drum is a large drum, beaten with curved Rattan canes.[Vallely, F. (1999). The Companion to Traditional Irish Music. New York University Press: New York, p. 152, 187-188] It is used primarily in Northern Ireland by Unionists and the Orange Order traditionally in street parades held in the summer, particularly on and around 12 July ("The Twelfth"). The weight of the drum means that it had been replaced with smaller replicas for most parades, but the full-sized instrument has started to reappear in recent years, usually on floats.
Characteristics
The Lambeg drum is, together with the
bagpipe, one of the loudest acoustic instruments in the world, frequently reaching over 120
decibel.
It measures approximately in diameter and deep, and weighs . Usually it is carried by the drummer while marching, using a neck harness.
Origin
The origin of the Lambeg is unclear. It is commonly believed to have come to
Ulster with English settlers in the early-mid-17th century. Other accounts state that it came to Ireland with the Duke of Schomberg's men of the army of William of Orange during the Williamite war. Having its roots in 17th-century European military instruments, it was originally smaller. Traditionally it was accompanied by the shrill fife, a small
transverse flute similar to the
piccolo. Over time, the drum grew in size through between players. The drum eventually reached such a size that the fifes were drowned out. Today, the fife and the Lambeg together are the exception, rather than the norm in parades; the combination is most common in
County Antrim. Most of the original Ulster fifers were of
Flemish people descent. A number of
French Huguenots had followed William's army into Ireland and the Flemish,
England and
Scotland Protestant groups had united into the
Orange Order.
The name comes from the village of Lambeg, County Antrim, which is situated ten miles southwest of Belfast and two miles from Lisburn. Tradition has it that it was in the Lambeg area that the instrument was first played with canes. The drum is sometimes also called "tibbies", "slashers" or "killymans".
Construction
The Lambeg drum's shell is generally made of
oak. Lambeg drum heads are goat skins, they are very thin and strong, and of even thickness and consistency as far as possible. A Lambeg skin will also receive "special" treatment that is a secret to each maker. Because of their qualities they are also sometimes used for smaller drums such as bodhráns.
The Lambegs are different from other large drums in the quality of their tone. The thin heads are pulled tight until the tone is bright and hard. There are no mechanical screws on the drums. The heads are held on with a wooden rim and, traditionally, linen ropes.
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