damphu

Damphu is a name that refers to more than one cultural item in South Asia, including a town in Bhutan and a traditional Nepali drum.

Damphu, Bhutan

Damphu is the administrative center of Tsirang District in southwestern Bhutan. It functions as the district headquarters and is part of Damphu Gewog, an administrative subdivision. The town serves as a local commercial and service hub for the surrounding rural area and is connected to other towns in the region by road. The area centers on agriculture and local markets, with cultural and religious practices reflecting the broader Bhutanese Buddhist and community traditions.

Damphu drum

The damphu is a Nepalese percussion instrument traditionally associated with the Tamang people. It is a small, barrel-shaped drum made from wood with a single drumhead, typically tightened with cords. The drum is struck with the hand on one side and with a stick on the other, producing a rhythmic pattern used in folk music. It features prominently in Tamang Selo and other traditional genres, and has found a place in contemporary Nepali music and world-music ensembles.