Talking drum

Squeeze the hourglass drum cords with one hand and strike with a curved stick to bend pitch; mimic spoken tone phrases and rhythms as the game plays a call.

Heritage note

Part of the living heritage of Nigeria. Some forms of this practice carry deep meaning for the communities who keep it; here we describe the play and the craft only, with respect for its roots.

Origins

A living tradition passed from person to person; it is not tied to a single dated origin. It belongs to the cultural world of Africa: Sahel, West and Central.