Why leopard skins for drummers?

[dutchy kilted]

I was going through some YouTube videos of various pipe bands with my son and he asked me why the drummers wear leopard (I'm guessing) skins. I honestly had no idea but I promised him I would try to find an answer for him. Anyone have an answer on how or why this tradition started? Thanks in advance!

[macwilkin]

See:

http://www.calgaryhighlanders.com/tr...ress/skins.htm

Regards,

T.

[Pleater]

The romantic reason is that it goes back to Roman times when their signallers - they had various horns to try to transmit orders over the noise of battle - used to wear exotic animal hides. I think that they wore them as a helmet cover and cape rather than as an apron.

Some British military drummers also had horns or trumpets as part of their duties as signallers - there are different sorts of drummers, some musicians, some messengers, some are trained as medical orderlies others are purely infantrymen.

A bandsman marching around with a drum or cymbals would, I am sure, wish to use a pelt, or any leather or padding to keep the knobbly bits of the drum off his uniform, and the metal parts of his uniform from scratching the drum, which might be highly decorated with regimental honours and damage to it might be frowned upon from a great height. Cymbals are silenced by being clasped against the chest, which must also have caused damage and discomfort.

I've marched with a side drum and soon learned that it can be a bruising experience.

Having officers going off killing animals in their spare time must have brought in a steady stream of pelts back in the days of the Raj. The Queen's uncle, Mountbatten of Burma, shot tigers which ended up as drummer's aprons - or so I am told. They have a little brass plate riveted to them to record the deed.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[macwilkin]

The romantic reason is that it goes back to Roman times when their signallers - they had various horns to try to transmit orders over the noise of battle - used to wear exotic animal hides. I think that they wore them as a helmet cover and cape rather than as an apron.

Some British military drummers also had horns or trumpets as part of their duties as signallers - there are different sorts of drummers, some musicians, some messengers, some are trained as medical orderlies others are purely infantrymen.

A bandsman marching around with a drum or cymbals would, I am sure, wish to use a pelt, or any leather or padding to keep the knobbly bits of the drum off his uniform, and the metal parts of his uniform from scratching the drum, which might be highly decorated with regimental honours and damage to it might be frowned upon from a great height. Cymbals are silenced by being clasped against the chest, which must also have caused damage and discomfort.

I've marched with a side drum and soon learned that it can be a bruising experience.

Having officers going off killing animals in their spare time must have brought in a steady stream of pelts back in the days of the Raj. The Queen's uncle, Mountbatten of Burma, shot tigers which ended up as drummer's aprons - or so I am told. They have a little brass plate riveted to them to record the deed.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

See the article from the Calgary Highlander's site, Anne.

T.

[Spc. Scott]

Very interesting article Todd.

[TheNaughtyScot]

The romantic reason is that it goes back to Roman times when their signallers - they had various horns to try to transmit orders over the noise of battle - used to wear exotic animal hides. I think that they wore them as a helmet cover and cape rather than as an apron.

Some British military drummers also had horns or trumpets as part of their duties as signallers - there are different sorts of drummers, some musicians, some messengers, some are trained as medical orderlies others are purely infantrymen.

A bandsman marching around with a drum or cymbals would, I am sure, wish to use a pelt, or any leather or padding to keep the knobbly bits of the drum off his uniform, and the metal parts of his uniform from scratching the drum, which might be highly decorated with regimental honours and damage to it might be frowned upon from a great height. Cymbals are silenced by being clasped against the chest, which must also have caused damage and discomfort.

I've marched with a side drum and soon learned that it can be a bruising experience.

Having officers going off killing animals in their spare time must have brought in a steady stream of pelts back in the days of the Raj. The Queen's uncle, Mountbatten of Burma, shot tigers which ended up as drummer's aprons - or so I am told. They have a little brass plate riveted to them to record the deed.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

Indeed, the most exotic skins went to the Aquilifer, who carried the eagle standard for the legion. The skins of exotic animals, particularly lions from Africa, demonstrated the awesome power and extent of the Roman Empire.

[dutchy kilted]

Great information - many thanks!

Where else would I be able to get so much information in such a short period of time? I love this forum!

[Mike_Oettle]

Many thanks for that fascinating information – from Todd, especially, but also from Anne and NaughtyScot.
The Romans’ use of animal skins extended beyond standard bearers. Skirmishers also wore outfits of this type.
The Calgary Highlanders’ use of bearskins is especially appropriate (more so, to my mind, than the Guards’ style of bearskin – no offence to Jock Scot!).
Since leopards are native to my country, I feel that the use of leopard skins by drummers out here is nonetheless apt.
Regards,
Mike

[The Thing]

God the Romans were amazing. Given the choice which would you rather be a centurion in a Roman Legion or a Gaelic Lord during the dark ages? Very hard one to call....! (P.S. sorry in advance for taking topic off course).

[Lallans]

There's an old RSM joke in here somewhere...

"Because, Mum, once slain, the leo-pards has no further use for 'em, Mum!"