NBA fans tap to beat of Matun drums

The eyes of hundreds of basketball fans awaiting the start of an NBA game in the United States were suddenly yanked away from their cellphones when some 30 Chinese women on the floor — all dressed in traditional flowing skirts — began a pulsating drum performance.

Many spectators were scrolling or chatting, but the thundering rhythms, accompanied by the deep, resonant sound of horns, grabbed their attention. The performance left the crowd in awe, said Dong Wenzhu, the group's leader.

"We heard people saying, 'You're amazing! We didn't know drums could sound like that!' " Dong said. "They were shocked by how these seemingly delicate women could create such powerful sounds."