AFRICAN DRUMS EXHIBITION


 This page is a record of an exhibit that took place
in 2001. The individual links below will take you to
the CURRENT VERSION of the pages
that formed part of that exhibit.


September 6 - November 24, 2001


AFRICAN DRUMS:

African drums were musical instruments, ceremonial objects and means of communication. The large exhibit focuses on the traditional drums of the Yoruba, Senufo, Kuba, Akan, Chokwe and other peoples, plus slit drums of the Yaka, Dan and Yangere. The drums range from everyday objects with monumental, simple forms to ornate pieces bringing status to the owner, connoting power and the honoring of ancestors.

Other instruments, such as gongs, horns, kora, harps and mbira (thumb pianos) are also included. Most of the exhibit is visual; many pieces are not capable of being played, but some are. We also have contemporary jembe drums, talking drums and balliphones all intended for play.

YORUBA, CEREMONIAL DRUMS, Nigeria

The most impressive collection in the exhibit are the ten Yoruba ceremonial drums, all deeply carved with figures or heads. From the large poster piece on the left to the smallest, each shows a careful design and execution meant to foster both belief and prestige.


BAMILEKE, DRUMS, Cameroon

Six Bamileke drums, embellished with low relief carving of figures, animals and objects show the creativity and power the Bamileke put into functional objects. We have one massive Slit drum used primarily as a signal gong to alert, assemble or inform the population. Variations in the thickness of the walls would vary the tones when struck by heavy wooden drum sticks. One unusually complex form seems to be a hybrid of styles.


YAKA, DRUMS, Dem. Rep. of Congo

Slit drums, with hollow chambers and long narrow openings that resonate when struck, often take a human or animal form in which the drum becomes the body. Several vertical examples from the Yaka people show careful execution,


SENUFO, DRUMS, Ivory Coast

Five tall Senufo drums, embellished with low relief animals, exhibit a subtle surface elegance and well designed form


DAN, DRUMS, Liberia

Slit drums, with hollow chambers and long narrow openings that resonate when struck, often take a human or animal form in which the drum becomes the body. Several vertical examples from the Dan people show careful execution,


KUBA, DRUMS, Dem. Rep. of Congo

Nine Kuba examples, with their intricate intertwined abstract designs, a few with faces or hand motifs, show the variety and skill known for Kuba sculpture.


IGBO, CEREMONIAL DRUMS, Nigeria

Slit drums, with hollow chambers and long narrow openings that resonate when struck, often take a human or animal form in which the drum becomes the body. The Igbo use both the vertical and the larger horizontal type. We have one massive slit drum used primarily as a signal gong to alert, assemble or inform the population. Variations in the thickness of the walls would vary the tones when struck by heavy wooden drum sticks.We are also showing a tall, skinheaded drum with wonderful relief carving.


CHOKWE, DRUMS, Angola

Two Chokwe drums, with their intricate abstract designs and faces, are double-headed.


DJEMBE DRUMS, West Africa

The most common and popular drums in west Africa, djembes are distinguished by their simple but elegant shapes and powerful sound. New examples can be tightened and tuned by tying the lines together.


TALKING DRUMS, West Africa

Talking drums are smaller and quieter then the Djembes, and get their name from the tonal range (voices) with which it can speak by squeezing and releasing the vertical strings to tighten and loosen the heads. Most are double headed and are struck by a special curved stick.


OTHER INSTRUMENTS, AFRICA

African
Gong
Catalog

YORUBA,
Gong
Catalog

African
Mbira
Catalog

African
Harps
Catalog

African
Horn
Catalog

BAMILEKE,
Gong
Catalog

African
Rattles
Catalog

 

GO TO AFRICAN DRUMS PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN DRUMS PAGE 2

GO TO ARTIFACTS PAGE

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