Featured Antique tribal drum- comments please

Hi all,this is an interesting double sided carved hand drum. Looks antique and a well used village drum to me. Not sure from which country. Maybe the west African region? It’s concave like a hourglass (that might be the clue) I initially thought Congo perhaps because of the carving detail. It’s missing a sling or handle. It’s 40cm overall in length,one side is 20cm wide and the other 22cm. Thank you for any comments

 

I'm always hesitant when trying to guess the age of African wood items, but that leather sure looks authentically old.

 

It might be a version of a "bata" drum, a type made by the Yoruba people in West Africa. Bata drums are hourglass shaped, double headed, with one head smaller than the other. They are suspended around the neck of the drummer, or used resting on their lap.

I hesitate because most African drums I have seen have some means of adjusting the tension of the drum head, whereas the heads on yours are simply fixed with pegs.


https://fatherlandgazette.com/the-bata-drum/


https://www.yorubalibrary.com/forum/articles/2024/june/15/different_yoruba_drums.html

"Nigeria – Bata is a double-headed drum that is an important part of religious ceremonies practiced by Yoruba people of Nigeria, West Africa, and their descendants in Brazil and Cuba. The Bata is shaped like an hourglass with one side larger than the other. A trio of Bata Drums was traditionally made from the same tree and tuned to different pitches. It is closely associated with the religious ceremonies of Santeria where complex polyrhythmic compositions are being played by Bata."
https://soundinfusion.io/the-music-family-membranophones/

https://www.crossriverheritageafricandiaspora.com/2024/08/bata-drums-in-atlantic-perspective.html

 

Thanks for the reply. I hear what you are saying. Again it’s just my opinion.

 

A small item I've noted...the pegs that retain the heads appear to have been longer sticks while the heads cured, then to have been sawn close to the skin after all shrinkage was complete.
Perhaps that's a common way of doing this necessary function; I'm not very familiar with drums, obviously.

 

Good interesting observation. Never considered that. Thank you

 

Many thanks tor the information and links provided. It’s all very interesting. For it to be a version of a Bata drum is certainly a possibility (some definite similarities in overall design) Personally Iam not 100% convinced. From the photos a Bata drum usually looks longer and there seem to be a bigger difference in the sizes of the 2 ends. I will also do some more searching and maybe find somekind of expert or a speciality trade store to mail and ask. Maybe the construction of my drum is a loose combination of traditional designs. Maybe it’s a variation of a Dundun drum?

Edit: then again probably not,as it doesn’t have the cords or way to change the pitch. The same with the talking drums. Anyway thanks again for the great research.

 

be nice if the handle was still there....

 

Yes the original handle or strap would have been very cool. But atleat this way it weirdly adds to character and helps show the use and age of the drum (well that’s how I see it) Also luckily someone did try and attach an newer sling or makeshift handle to it. I much rather prefer a missing authentic strap or sling.