An old, double-headed 'talking drum' of the Yoruba people. The principle of a ‘talking drum’, called ‘kalangu’ or ‘dundun’, works as follows: The drum or resonance body is carved in wood in the shape of an hourglass and closed on both sides with one leather drum. Both fastening hoops of the leather drums are tightly linked by means of leather straps. If the drummer presses together the leather straps in the middle of the drum, the latter increases its tension, producing higher tones as a result. If the pressure decreases, tones are lower instead. An actual ‘drum language’ has thus developed among the Yoruba people. The present, old specimen of 'talking drum' is fully preserved: with leather drums on both sides (one of which is heavily torn), with all connecting leather straps regulating the pitch, with carrying belt, bells mallet etc. Early or first half of the 20th century; H: 50 cm; DM: 22 cm (leather drum). (ME)

Provenance: German private collection. The consignor purchased the present instrument in the early 1960s from the palace of the king (‘Oba’) of Oyo, in the central Yoruba territory. Until that time it had been used on the occasion of court ceremonies and rituals (e.g. for the god of ancestors, ‘Egungun’).

Literature: 'Musikinstrumente der Völker' by J. Buchner, ill. 136, 139; 'African Art in American Collections' by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 1511; 'Yoruba. Masques et rituels africains' by J. Rivallain & F. A. Iroko, ill. p. 91.

Additional photo:
Yoruba drummer with his ‘talking drum’.
Photo from ‘Yoruba’ by Josette Rivallain & Félix A. Iroko