| The bodhran is a musical instrument with a | | | | The drums are commonly associated with beating |
| universal purpose. It is literally a skin tray and is | | | | and loud sound. However, the bodhran is not like |
| very popular in the Celtic world like Brittany, | | | | most drums for it plays a soft sound often giving |
| Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This has | | | | an impression of dullness. It sounds deep and can |
| been in existence and in use for more than a | | | | be played in many styles ranging from the |
| thousand years in so many ways. Bodhrans are | | | | traditional Irish rhythm to the modern beat. You |
| suitable for winnowing and still being used for such | | | | can likewise play with this instrument according to |
| purpose in some third world countries like India | | | | your personal style. The variations in sounds |
| and Africa. | | | | depend on the tapping on the skin or rim and in |
| For those who are familiar with the bodhran they | | | | the movement of the hands. |
| will see it as a sieve or simply a skin tray. It can | | | | In the Basque country and other countries like |
| be used as a sieve anyway when holes are | | | | Ireland, Spain, France the bodhran has become an |
| punched in the skin. Bodhrans often resemble a | | | | integral part of their musical entertainment. But it |
| sifter like that one that is being used in | | | | is only in Ireland that this musical instrument has |
| construction sites. This is also a type of musical | | | | gained its high degree of sophistication. In most |
| instrument under the percussion category. This is | | | | instances, this drum is used for purely religious |
| in fact a drum and a favorite of the Irish people. | | | | and cultural festivals. |
| There are various sizes and designs of bodhrans. | | | | A very popular cultural festival in Ireland that uses |
| For inconvenience, most players opt for the | | | | the frame drum is known as "The Wren Hunt". |
| smaller size since it is easier it is to bring along | | | | This is about some groups of people wearing |
| anywhere. The bodhran size ranges from 14" to | | | | costumes and straw hats with blackened faces |
| 26" to suit to the preference of the player. Its | | | | who go hunting for a wren. The captured wren |
| sound is created by the use of the hand or by | | | | will be brought to a parade house to house while |
| the tipper or both. For very fast rhythm and | | | | playing the bodhran and people singing the |
| complex beat, the double-headed stick called as | | | | ceremonial song. |
| the "tipper" is used which is held in one hand. | | | | The designs of this type of musical instrument |
| The bodhran is the Irish or Celtic drum and the | | | | feature the cross, animals and birds, spiral and |
| name comes from the Irish word "bodhar" | | | | knotwork. The spiral represents the past, present |
| meaning deaf. It can also be translated as "tray", | | | | and future and has become the symbol of eternal |
| "deafening", "thundered", and "dull-sounding". It is | | | | life. It represents the continuity of life passing |
| also known as a "frame drum" because of the | | | | through the process of death and rebirth. All the |
| way is made using a piece of soft wood and | | | | symbols carry significant meanings which are also |
| animal skin. Bodhrans are used as working tool | | | | symbolisms adapted for rituals or ceremonies |
| and a musical instrument on the other hand. | | | | using the bodhran. |