Drum - Double Head

Fante (Akan) Dondo

Ghana
Akan

Wood, Goatskin, Animal hide
ca. Mid-Late 20th century

Length: 65.5 cm; Diameter: 23 cm
Membranophone - Struck - Directly

The hourglass drum is found throughout central West Africa. The most distinctive of these drums are the double headed pressure drum in which two heads are stretched over the characteristic hourglass-shaped tube and connected by a network of lacing that allows the player to vary with arm pressure the tension of the heads, and accordingly the pitch of the drum. These instruments are often used as “talking” drums, which mimic the inflection of tonal languages. The Fante, Twi, Baoule People (Akan languages)call this drum Dondo, Odondo. It is played with a crooked/bent stick.

Owner:
Catalog#: AF-MBST-13

© Hartenberger World Music Collection