The Phuhmman

The Phuhmman

Phuhmman (decorative tassels or pom-poms) are used in rural Punjabi culture to beautify objects which one reveres or is particularly proud of. They adorn the reins of horses and cattle, just as they do the mirrors and rears of trucks and rickshaws. Given the status of dhol in Punjabi culture, it is not surprising that one rarely sees a dhol without phuhmman. They are in a way like the dhol's clothing. Not only are they part of the dhol's dress, but also in the dhol set-up system that is used nowadays they aid in gripping the challe (small metal rings)when tightening/loosening the ropes.

Styles of phuhmman vary, as do methods of making them. Proper phuhmman are generally not available for purchase in music shops, but you sometimes see long strings of beautiful, ready-made phuhmman for sale at melas. Most often the dholi simply makes them himself, since only the phuhmman made specifically for the dhol really fit it properly.

Garib Dass' method for making phuhmman follows a traditional procedure, but with some modifications added that reflect newer developments in materials.

It starts with nylon rope, cut in lengths. A knot is tied at each end, which is burned over a candle flame to cause it to melt. The melting knot is pressed down against a hard surface as it cools, which seals the knot and prevents it from becoming undone. The more traditional material of cotton rope could just as easily be used (although one wouldn't burn it, but rather secure the knots in some other way). Another traditional material was a strip of leather doubled-up. The nylon rope has as its advantage that it is very durable and resilient.

Next, lengths of yarn are cut. The yarn is of sheep's wool (unn) and can be baought at a "rope store" in the form pictured here (right). One of the knot-balls on the rope is placed in the center of a group of yarn, with slightly longer amounts of yarn falling towards the center of the rope. The yarn is then wrapped around the ball (as shown).

The wool yarn comes conveniently all bunched-up like this. No, Garib Dass' fingers are not sharp enough to cut it.

1. A piece of the yarn is wrapped around and tied at the inner side of the knot-ball.

2. The portion of yarn on the inner side is folded down over the outer-side portion.

3. Another piece of yarn is wrapped and tied around the phuhmman at the outer side of the ball.

The ends of the tassels should be trimmed with scissors so that they are even.

A phuhmman like this needs to be made at each end of the rope.

1.

2.

3.

Attach the phuhmman to a tightening-ring with a "cow hitch," as shown.

Throughout the dhol construction process, Garib Dass is fond of adding little finishing details with bits of string. As an optional last step here, he wraps and ties a piece of the yarn around the knot (below right). This is to secure the knot so it does not slip loose.

Finished pieces.

Rah, rah, rah! Go team GO!

Yeaaay…BOBCATS!!!

The colors of the phuhmman have no special significance, but Garib Dass avoids black because it is colorless and not fitting to the 'happy' mood that is intended to be evoked.

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