In the Zhuang Culture Exhibition Hall of Guangxi Ethnic Museum, a bronze giant drum stands quietly. After 2000 years of baptism, if the drumstick falls again, the passionate sound of the drum can still penetrate time and space, shocking people. It is the Western Han Dynasty Cloud Thunder Pattern Bronze Drum, known as the "King of World Bronze Drums". Why can it be called king among the many bronze drums? This Beiliu type copper drum has a diameter of 165 centimeters and weighs 299 kilograms, making it the largest diameter and shape unearthed from around the world to date. The drum surface is decorated with an eight pointed sun pattern, with three strings divided into four halos, interspersed with cloud and thunder patterns, reflecting the unique aesthetic and worship of nature of the ancient Baiyue ethnic group in China. Why did ancient people cast such huge drums? Lu Wendong, the director of Guangxi Ethnic Museum, revealed that the bronze drum originally evolved from cooking utensils and copper pots, and later became a musical instrument, ritual vessel, and a symbol of ruling power. It was ubiquitous in ancient social life in southern China and Southeast Asia. The "North Ding and South Drum" are distinguished by the number of tripods to indicate their status, while the copper drum represents the strength of power by its size. According to Lu Wendong's introduction, Pei Yuan's "Guangzhou Record" from the Jin Dynasty recorded: "The Li Liao cast copper as drums, and drums were only considered precious if they were tall." The "Li Liao" were descendants of the ancient Baiyue ethnic group, and in their beliefs, the taller and larger the copper drum, the more valuable it was. The Geographical Records of the Book of Sui also confirms its revered status: "Those who have drums are called 'Du Lao', and are widely accepted by the people." Copper drums are a symbol of power and a vital tool for southern ethnic groups. The leaders cast large copper drums to showcase their wealth and status. According to data statistics, there are 1676 ancient bronze drums in the national collection, of which 772 are in Guangxi. The Guangxi Ethnic Museum has 347 in its collection, ranking first in the world in terms of quantity. ”Liu Zhifu, Director of the Collection Department of Guangxi Ethnic Museum, is quite proud. The rhythm of bronze drums has long been integrated into the history of southern ethnic culture and is a "living fossil" of southern ethnic culture in China. Unlike the bronze ritual and music heavy objects in the Central Plains, the cultural inheritance of bronze drums has never been interrupted. Nowadays, many ethnic minorities in China, such as Zhuang, Dong, Yao, etc., still play the bronze drum on important occasions such as weddings and funerals. Every year during traditional festivals such as Spring Festival and March 3rd, Zhuang people celebrate by beating bronze drums. There are many stars in the sky and many bronze drums on the ground; the stars and bronze drums bring us peace and happiness. "This folk song passed down from generation to generation of the Zhuang ethnic group expresses their love for bronze drums. Today, as we strike the bronze drum, the sound that has lasted for thousands of years remains resounding and powerful, telling ancient and touching stories. (New Society)