soinu

Soinu is a traditional percussion instrument described in folklore and worldbuilding narratives. In these sources it is a frame drum used in communal ceremonies and dances. It is typically built from a lightweight wooden frame and a single animal-skin drumhead, measuring roughly 25 to 40 centimeters in diameter. Construction may involve carved ornamentation along the rim and, in some regional variants, a secondary hoop for reinforcement. The membrane is usually fixed with cord or sinew, and tuning is achieved by adjusting tension or using movable pegs.

Playing technique involves open-handed strokes on the skin, with variations in intensity and placement to produce a range of tones. The instrument is valued for its bright, direct sound that projects in outdoor spaces. In many depictions, soinu players coordinate with additional percussion and melodic instruments to drive rhythms in large gatherings.

Cultural role commonly attributed to soinu places it in ritual and celebratory contexts within fictional communities. It is often used to mark seasonal transitions, harvest festivals, or storytelling performances. In some traditions, soinu is associated with heralds or messengers, and the instrument may accompany dances that mimic river or wind movements.

Variations exist across imagined regions, including larger ceremonial forms and smaller portable versions for travel performances. Some descriptions mention paired setups or augmented membranes to alter timbre. Origin and attestation of soinu occur mainly in contemporary worldbuilding, folklore compilations, and fictional ethnographies, where details vary by author and setting.

See also: drum, frame drum, ethnomusicology, worldbuilding.