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Drum - Single Head

Fang Snakeskin Drum

Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea
Fang

Wood, Python Snakeskin, Brass Tacks, Rope
ca. Early-Mid 20th century

Height: 34 cm
Membranophone - Struck - Directly

These two drums (AF-MBST-66-88 and AF-MBST-65-88) from the Fang people of Gabon were used in the byeri cult.  The initiation of new members is accompanied by several days of music and dancing, as well as ingestion of hallucinogenic plants such as alan, and, increasingly, eboga.  These drums were played by initiates. Both have python-skin drum-heads. The python was seen as a protective spirit which encircled the community and defended it from witchcraft, and the use of its skin in the drum had apotropaic properties. Both drums are old and well-used. This smaller drum is conical.

 

Owner:
Catalog#: AF-MBST-66-88