Talking drum, any of various types of drums that, by imitating the rhythm and the rise and fall of words in languages , are used as communication devices. Such drums occur in East and West Africa, Melanesia, and Southeast Asia.
Why is it called a talking drum?
The talking drum is an instrument in the percussion family that originates from West Africa. ... They are referred to as talking drums because they are able to be tuned to mimic the sound of human speech in terms of tone and accent such as emotion .
How old are talking drums?
With origins in the Ghana Empire between the 7 th and 13 th centuries , the talking drum is one of the oldest instruments in West Africa, not to mention, one of the oldest instruments still in use today.
What is a talking drum player called?
Other names. Dondo , Odondo, Tamanin, Lunna, Donno, Kalangu, Dan karbi, Igba, Doodo, Tama, Tamma, Gangan. Classification. Percussion. Hornbostel–Sachs classification.
What cultures use drumming?
Use of drums across the world started to spread across Asia , reaching Japan, India, Middle East, Africa and southern Europe by 2nd century BC (most notably African drums that were introduced into ancient Greece and Rome).
Why is drumming important to African culture?
Drums play an important role in every aspect of African life, including the physical, emotional and spiritual. African hand drums are played to communicate, celebrate, mourn and inspire . They're played in times of peace and war, planting and harvesting, birth and death.
What country are the famous talking drums from?
Discover Nigeria's talking-drums, used to mimic speech and highlighting the importance of phrases and songs.
How were drums used for communication?
Drums were used to send detailed messages from village to village much faster then a person could walk or ride a horse . The sound of talking drums could reach up to 4 to 5 miles. ... The drummer would communicate through phrases and pauses, and low tones referred to males while high tones referred to females.
What is a Yoruba drum?
Yoruba people. The ìyáàlù (mother) bàtá drum is the largest of a set of drums (typically three to four) used by the Yoruba people. For at least five centuries the drum set was used as a speech surrogate and was associated with Sàngó, Esu Egungun, Oya and other Yoruba orisa cults.
How is a talking drum made?
Unknown about Talking Drum
The talking drum, which is formed by the combination of leather cord, wood and animal skin to create tension , is traditionally produced like this, and it is also known that goatskin and drum skin are created.
Are drums in every culture?
Drums are found in nearly every culture in the world and have existed since before 6000 B.C. They have had ceremonial, sacred, and symbolic associations.
What are the main features of African drumming?
- polyrhythms are created by layering different rhythms together.
- dynamics are changed depending on the force with which the drum is hit.
- dynamics are not written down on a score – the leader signals changes in dynamics during the performance.
What drums do Africans use?
- A djembe or jembe (/ˈdʒɛmbeɪ/ JEM-bay; from Malinke jembe [djẽbe], N'Ko: ߖߋ߲߰ߓߋ) is a rope-tuned skin-covered goblet drum played with bare hands, originally from West Africa. ...
- The djembe has a body (or shell) carved of hardwood and a drumhead made of untreated (not limed) rawhide, most commonly made from goatskin.
Why are drums so important?
Drums are important in a band because they provide melody, dynamics, and rhythm . When approached correctly, these elements will make the drummer crucial to any group or musician they desire to play with.
What is the most popular African drum?
The djembe is the most well-known African drum around the world.
