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.
Meaning & stories
The drum speaks: it imitates the tonal language and carries proverbs, praise names and history.
Every object here carries a story its maker will tell you if you ask.
— Consortium field notes
CommunicationStorytellingRitualHeritage
Join the community
Meet them
Meet the artisans who keep this craft alive.
Have knowledge to share?
Contribute
Add a story, a technique or a video to this craft.
