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Drum - Double Head

Brekete w/ beater

Northern Ghana
Akan

Wood, Goatskin, nylon cloth, leather straps
ca. Mid-20th century

Length: 60cm: Diameter: 45 cm
Membranophone - Struck - Directly - Cylinder-shaped

The brekete is commonly found in the Northern region in Ghana. This one is covered in a colorful pink dyed cloth. The drum is a closed double-headed cylindrical drum. Both heads made from goatskin are laced to the drum with strong leather rope (covered by the pink fabric). There is single snare (one string) strung across one of the heads creating a unique sonic texture. The drum is carried underneath the left arm with a strap and is struck with a wooden bent/crooked stick held in the right hand. The membrane of the snare-side is damped with the fingertips of the left hand when played. The brekete drum is related to the djun djung from Nigeria, the dundun of the Mande, and the gungon of the Dagomba.

 

Owner:
Catalog#: AF-MBST-63-84