Drum - Single Head

Baule Ceremonial Drum

Cote d'Ivoire - West Africa
Baule

Wood, animal hide
Early 20th century

Height: 20 inches Width: 12 inches Length 29 inches
Membranophone - Struck (Directly) - Single-headed

This drum comes from the Baoulé ethnos group of the Cote d'Ivoire. The drum consists of a pair of figures (male and female), each standing on plinths that rise from a platform. Both figures have muscular arms and legs, and show elaborate scarifications on the face and body. The drum and figures are carved from a single piece of wood, with added extras: Firstly, the male’s right arm which is secured with a hand-made nail, enabling it to move; a staff that is inserted into the right hand of the male and; the four wooden drum pegs. The drum head is original and is of goat or sheep skin. Around the edge of the base and in the center, are low relief diamond/geometric carved designs, with a shallow lipped hole carved in the center and painted red. On four sides of the drum are low relief carved faces. The Baule are one of the Akan people, who moved west to the Ivory Coast more than 200 years ago. They are one of the largest and most-powerful groups in Cote d'Ivoire today.

Owner:
Catalog#: AF-MBST-14-111

© Hartenberger World Music Collection