The twenty-four festive drums performance by the Johor Bahru Drum Corps of Malaysia. [Photo/WeChat account: GZWS411665430]

Twenty-four festive drums with Guangdong features were played at the Johor Bahru Chinese Association's 100th anniversary dinner in Malaysia on Nov 26. 

The twenty-four festive drums were jointly assembled by Malaysian Chinese Chen Zai Fan and Chen Hui Chong in 1988. They combine the characteristics of the Guangdong lion drums, a Chinese national intangible cultural heritage, the Guangdong Lion Dance, and the traditional art of calligraphy. 

Over the past 34 years, the twenty-four festive drums have become a Malaysian national intangible cultural heritage and have spread to Africa and around the world with their great plasticity and vitality.

In July this year, Malaysia's Johor Bahru Drum Corps Director Lin Yi Kai and Artistic Director Yan Shi Xian coached the creation of twenty-four festive drum corps in both the Kingdom of Eswatini and Lesotho, in Africa.

The rhythmic drumming performed by the young Africans incorporates the characteristic rhythmic style of African dance and shouting that makes people from everywhere feel like they're running across the African savannah, reflecting the character of the African people.

The twenty-four festive drums allow drummers to participate in their music's creation, which greatly satisfies the need of young people who like to innovate, said Chen Zai Fan. And young drummers have also become the backbone of the twenty-four drums' heritage innovation and wide dissemination.

Chen Zai Fan added that through years of heritage and innovation, and the incorporation of different cultures, the twenty-four festive drums have continued to develop a rich value that he did not expect.

He explained that a Korean company in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, has also set up a twenty-four festive drums team. It turns out that drumming is also helpful in building team cohesion.

2023 will mark the 35th anniversary of the birth of the twenty-four festive drums, and the Johor Bahru Drum Corps hopes to come to China to perform and communicate with the Guangdong Lion Drum Corps. 

The twenty-four festive drums are played in Africa. [Photo/WeChat account: GZWS411665430]

Chen Zai Fan. [Photo/WeChat account: GZWS411665430]