In Tibet,  the Raq Dung is used primarily for religious ceremonies and also for signalling. Bhuddist monestaries tend to be built on the top of mountains, and the low moaning notes of the Raq Dung travel for long distances in the cold rarified air.  It serves the same prinipal as the Swiss Alphorn - for communicating from mountain top to mountain top.

The horn is made from copper and being fully conical,  is made so it can telescope in four sections for ease of carrying and storage.  In use, the bell end is often held up by a rope carried by a monk.  padded rings between each section protect the metal between each section.  The longest of the Raq Dungs are about twelve feet.  This one is 8 1/2 feet.   The decorations are made with a silver or a white metal and sometimes include semiprecious stones or glass.