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African Drums

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Submitted By graces
Words 628
Pages 3
Grace
March 2, 2011
Cultural Presentation
|V11SP: INTRO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (ANT-1010-VO01-V11SP) |

Drums are of big importance to the history of Africa, they have been a part of Africa's culture dating back to 500 A.D. In most Western Cultures, like India or China, the idea of drums is mostly always associated with entertainment. In Africa, drums hold a much deeper symbolical and historical meaning. Drums are referred to the “backbone” of African music because of the pulse it creates. The African drums basic uses are for communication, entertainment or both together. The talking drum has been called Africa's first telephone, this is because it was utilized to send messages or signals to surrounding tribes. These signals or codes, were sent to announce danger or upcoming meetings. The drums imitate the pitch patterns of languages, which makes it possible for others to interpret the messages. This drum is usually played beneath one arm and held against the ribcage, the drum is then squeezed to produce the pitch while the other strikes the drum head with structure resembling a stick. Drums are used during festivals, not only for entertainment but also for communication. Depending on the event being celebrated, drumbeats are played to instruct listeners of what type of dance is to be performed. For example, at the time of a birth of twins there is a different dance done than at a birth of a single child(Kahn, J. (n.d.). Drumming, the Backbone . Debate Central. Retrieved March 2, 2011, from http://debate.uvm.edu/dreadlibrary). The djembe drum is illustrated as one of the most influential drums of Africa. This drum is used in many celebrations, but it was originally created as a sacred drum to be played in healing ceremonies, ancestral worship, rites of passage warrior rituals, and social dances. Throughout all of Africa the drum is played primarily at nighttime. Drums are used in the daylight only on days of rest, or during mourning periods, which can last up to three months. The more sacred the festivals and ceremonies, the more decorated the drums are. Special drums like these are more colorful and illuminating, and are treated as godly pieces of art. In Africa certain drums symbolize and protect royalty, they are often stored in sacred dwellings, so they are not harmed. Drumming is generally a males role, but women are known to play the drums in a “women only drum circle” during certain rituals. Their drums are less confusing than the males and made out of different materials. Drummers are respected by their villagers and treated as royalty. Several African children see drumming “as a way to complete the inner self.” Becoming a drummer is a sign of maturity Children know by the age of 10 whether or not they have what it takes to become a honored drummer.

Below are pictures of the talking drum:

Below are African djembe drums:

Decorative Djembe Drums:

West African Drums:

Bibliography:

(Kahn, J. (n.d.). Drumming, the Backbone . Debate Central. Retrieved March 2, 2011, from http://debate.uvm.edu/dreadlibrary)
African drum history - djembe. (n.d.). Rebirth African Tribal Art Gallery. Retrieved March 2, 2011, from http://www.rebirth.co.za/african

Talking drum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved March 2, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talking

rossiter, m. (n.d.). Drums in African Tradition . home.acceleration.net. Retrieved March 2, 2011, from http://home.acceleration.net/clark

african djembe drums | PicsDigger. (n.d.). pix.es. Retrieved March 2, 2011, from http://pixes.eu/keyword/african%20djembe%20drums/

Horn, K. (n.d.). Tam Tams (Talking Drums) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!. Welcome to Flickr - Photo Sharing. Retrieved March 2, 2011, from http://www.flickr.com/photos/12766752

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