Drum, African Tamtam Engoma from Uganda. 50s

Drum, african tamtam engoma from uganda. 50s. Conical barrel, entirely covered with skin stretched by lacing. 2 suspension handles. This two-skinned drum is commonly used by the bantu of ankole district. It has a cylindrical conical shape, but some royal drums are exclusively conical in shape. The diameter is significantly larger at the top than at the base of the drum. The engoma is a so-called 'single-headed' drum in the sense that the musician only strikes the skin stretched on the top. The second skin at the base of the instrument is not struck, but is part of the lacing device. Traditionally, the drum is made of wood, from a piece of trunk in one piece selected from a wide variety of species. The engoma is hollowed out to match the outer wall to the inner wall and its average thickness is 2 cm. Some work wood shortly after cutting it, others prefer to work with dried wood. To prevent the wood from splitting, it is buried in the ground for a week after being hollowed out. The skin at the top of the drum and the non-sound skin at the base of the engoma are never made from the skin of aquatic animals, but always come from game or cattle. For strips and membranes, only skins of old animals can be used, since the skin of young animals tears easily. The strips are made of strips cut from the same skin as the membrane and connect the two membranes. You can the same drums at the royal museum for central africa, and at the national museums of the ile d'aix donation gourgaud. Some traces of time on the upper skin. Height: 58 cm - 22.83" High diameter: 45 cm - 17.71" Bottom diameter: 24 cm - 9.44" Weight: 9 kg.

Ref. : FBPVFX61