Calabashs, Seeds, Cowrie Shells, Glass Beads, Nut Shells, Braided Fiber String

Drum - Single Head

Kuba Calabash Hand Drum

Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
Kuba

Calabashs, Seeds, Cowrie Shells, Glass Beads, Nut Shells, Braided Fiber String
ca. Mid-20th century

Height: 12 inches
Membranophone - Struck - Directly

Kuba Beaded Calabash Drum - Field collected by Jenna Haselton of Mpumalanga, South Africa. This calabash is beautifully beaded with red, blue, and green glass beads and cowry shells. An unusual piece. The top is of leather and held in place with a plaited palm strip. There is also decoration with seeds and nut shells. There is a string attached to one side for carrying it. The circumference at its widest is 26inches/66cm and 12/inches/31cm high. The Kuba are most famous for their cloth and masks throughout the world but locally and in Zaire they are renown for their decorated household items.

Owner:
Catalog#: AF-MBST-1-87