Hunan’s Dong Minority Drum Tower: From Knowledge to Preservation

The Drum Tower is the most important public building and landmark identifying the Hunan Dong minority's harmonious relationship between nature and manufactured structures. Dong people strongly identify themselves with the Drum Tower. The Chapter presents knowledge about these historical buildings and the local legislation's context before presenting their fragilities and protocols needed to endorse their preservation and maintenance. Firstly, an in-depth description of the knowledge of Hunan’s Drum Tower and an overview of the legislative context of Dong Drum Towers are expressed. Secondly, the first research on recurrent problems of Drum Towers in Hunan is developed, ranging from fire risks, decay, and insufficient maintenance interventions. Subsequently, multi-risks prevention in the Drum Tower is discussed, a vast project integrating policies, regulations, technologies, engineering, local culture and other measures. Finally, recommendations are proposed to control the fatal risks, ranging from fire, insects and fungi, with operable acceptance by local people and authorities.