Nigeria ✓ Verified craft Hourglass tension drum
Dùndún drum
local name: Talking drum
Hourglass skin drum used as a language, in rituals and celebrations.
Animal skinWoodLeather CarvingSkin stretchingTensioning
The dùndún, the Yoruba talking drum, is an hourglass-shaped drum whose pitch changes when the player squeezes the leather cords along its body. It reproduces the tones of the Yoruba language and is used to send messages, praise, tell stories and accompany ceremonies. Makers carve the body from a single piece of wood and stretch animal skin (antelope or goat) on both ends.
Key information
Type
Hourglass tension drum
Materials
Animal skin, Wood, Leather
Techniques
Carving, Skin stretching, Tensioning
Origin
Nigeria
Regions
Oyo
Transmission
Family lineages of drummers (àyàn)
Active since
Living tradition
Meaning & stories
The drum speaks: it imitates the tonal language and carries proverbs, praise names and history.
Read the full story →From challenges to innovations
Challenges
- Access to good hardwood
- Loss of the drum language among young people
Existing innovations
- Dùndún in contemporary music
- Teaching apps for drum language
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