Collection record · Objects & craft
Drum (ngoma)
The collection record classifies this work as musical instrument. It is dated by 1928. Recorded culture or place: Africa, Eastern Africa, unknown maker.
Explore the object recordOBJECT RECORD
A closer look at the details.
- Museum title
- Drum (ngoma)
- Date
- by 1928
- Culture / origin
- Africa, Eastern Africa, unknown maker
- Materials and technique
- Wood, rawhide, and plant fiber
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 31.2 cm (12 5/16 in.); Overall: 40 cm (15 3/4 in.)
- Artist / maker
- Not specified by the museum
- Museum
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Accession number
- 1929.343
FROM THE MUSEUM
In the museum’s words
The following description is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s original English record.
This musical instrument takes its name ngoma from the Kongo language word for "drum." Specialized craftspeople often made these drums. The wooden base is hollow and covered with a first hide, then a second one held tight by plant fibers. This allows the sound to resonate when just the first membrane is struck. In Uganda, drums contain a ritual "heart" known only to its maker, which helps to imbue it with power. In contrast with royal drums (mpango), this instrument is not considered sacred. The sounds from men striking drums could be used as a kind of communication or as music in a performance setting.
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Text and image sources
The Cleveland Museum of Art · Gift of the African Art Sponsors of Karamu House · CC0
The summary is based on public collection data. Refer to the museum’s latest record for the title, date and attribution.
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