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1927.19.71

Three legged cylindrical drum (ngoma) with single membrane. Membrane secured by numerous wooden pegs. [LKG 15/9/2008]

1927.19.71

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Collection type
Object
Description
Three legged cylindrical drum (ngoma) with single membrane. Membrane secured by numerous wooden pegs. [LKG 15/9/2008]
Person
Field collector James Sligo Jameson
PRM source Contessa Pes di Villamarina
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1927
Date collected
By 1927
Acquisition information
Donated: 1927
Materials and processes
Material Wood Plant, Material Membrane, Process Hollowed, Process Pegged, Process Sawn
Dimensions
Diameter: max 248 mm, Height: max 427 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1927.19.71
Research and responses

Ngoma are prominent across east, central and southern Africa and are played by many groups including the Zulu, Venda, Shona, Tsonga, Lozi and Tswana people. In Shona, the word ngoma refers to drum and drumming, but is also a term that encompasses the concepts of music and dancing in general.

Ngoma come in many shapes and sizes- tall versions are played standing up and small versions are played sitting down and are usually made with wood and animal skin from livestock or hunted animals. As with their appearance, the types of music played by ngoma are just as diverse. Ngoma can be played as accompaniments to vocalists or other instruments or can be the focal point of music as solo instruments or as part of an ensemble. They are played at religious ceremonies, social gatherings, traditional dances, for children’s games, and even for war. In Southern African culture, drums are prominent at funerals, accompanied with singing to celebrate the deceased and boost morale.

This particular drum has the typical appearance of a tall ngoma, with a cylindrical wooden body that tapers at the base, three legs, and protruding sections around the circumference to secure the ngoma’s animal skin membrane in place and keep it taut. Other examples of ngoma that demonstrate the degree to which they can vary in size include the extremely tall mutandarikwa, which has an almost equal circumference at the top and bottom, and the garina, which is flat and cylindrical.

Professor Robert Nyamushosho (interview)

Jones, C. (1992). Making Music, Musical Instruments in Zimbabwe Past and Present, Academic Books Zimbabwe, pp. 146-147

Search terms: Music, Musical Instrument, Cylindrical Drum

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