Li Lao drum

The Li-Lao bronze drums or Heger type II drums are a type of ancient bronze drums found in Southern China and Northern Vietnam invented and used by Tai-Kadai-speaking (or specifically Tai-speaking) ethnic groups who were known to Chinese as Lǐ (俚) or Lǎo (獠) and who historically inhabited the area between the Red River Delta and the Pearl River Delta from the 3rd to 8th century AD[1][2] and later the Muong people, an ethnic minority in Northern Vietnam, from the 10th to 12th century.

It’s theorized by Michael and Catherine Churchman that the Li people began casting bronze drums around 40 AD, when according to Han dynasty sources, the Trung sisters’ revolt spread to Hepu (Guangxi) and sparked the local people to join the rebellion.

[6] The prosperity and autonomy society of the Li people, which mainly relied on the pearl trade, allowed them to cast numerous large drums.

For centuries after that, bronze drums were highly symbolized as treasures of Li chieftains and to represent their nation's richness.

These they call the "bronze drum forks" It is their custom to be fond of battle and they often make deadly enemies.

When they sound these drums, people flood there…"[12]As late as the early 14th-century, Lê Tắc, a Đại Việt's official who had defected to the Yuan Mongol invaders, wrote in his 1335 Brief Records of Annam that bronze drums were forged, beaten, and valued by the Lǎozǐ (獠子), Tai-speakers as called by Chinese: Lăozǐ, a different name for the Man.

The majority of them live in Huguang and Yunnan; there are some who serve Jiaozhi; there are also some who tattoo their foreheads, who chisel their teeth; rather many kinds and groups.

When a drum has just been finished, they display [it] at the center of the courtyard, arrange liquors, invite all from the same group to come and crowd the gate.