The Talking Drum

The talking drum is one of the oldest musical instruments,it has this different life that is been passed when it is been played, it is very different from every other musical instrument, it has only three(3) sofa's and that is the (D R M) but while playing it, it passes more than just that three sofa's which totally change the sound, it has its origin in the west regions of Africa and mostly common in Nigeria, it can be found in Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria.
For many years, the talking drum has been noted as one of the symbols of the old African tradition and an instrument of music indigenous to the Yoruba culture of western Nigeria and Benin republic and Ghana. However, the talking drum is more than just a cultural artifact or a musical instrument.

THE ORIGIN OF TALKING DRUM
It is not certain where the talking drum is originated from, it is majorly known to people that the talking drum is originated from the sub Saharan Africa. In the west Africa today there are different types of talking drum and their styles of playing them depending of the culture and the language spoken in the regions and the message in which it is been used to pass.

WHY IS IT CALLED A TALKING DRUM?
The drum is called a talking drum because it can imitate lines, speech or words of a spoke language especially Yoruba. The talking drum has two surfaces that are beaten with a bent stick, the drums are carved out of tree trunks and is made having an hourglass shape with long leather tension cords attached from the drum head to the base of the drum.
The crown or top side is usually made out of stretched animal skin pulled taut, which covers a hollow midsection, the drum could have a single membrane or double skinned and comes in varied sizes depending on the origin and function.

TYPES OF TALKING DRUM
There are different types of talking drum the only way you can differentiate them is by the size, their sizes varies depending on the function they are been used for.

 Iya-Ilu (Mother of Drums)
 Gang an
 Omele

WHO CAN PLAY A TALKING DRUM
Anybody can play a talking drum, all that matters is you knowing the basics functions and parts of the talking drum and you having a better knowledge of the language and culture.

that is me playing my own talking drum

I remain your humble and loyal boy ShUnGuYsTiN
THANK YOU