Info and Origins More info and Origins
Fadin' "N" Tom Tom Theatre
The djun djuns are a thriving breed throughout Africa. The styles and language differ but the shape and the use are the same. The
best shape for deep sound is the barrel shape we so commonly see. In the Mandingo tradition they've attached a iron bell to be played in
different voices by the musician. In many Ghanaian styles the drum are strapped to the shoulders and played with a big hook like pair of
sticks. Yet in Ivorian styles the drums are stood vertically and played with stick and palm or two sticks. In many cultures they just simply
lay them on the ground and put one foot on to hold the drum in place strike one side with a stick. This is a very common practice on the
continent.
The Gome drum has a fascinating history. During slavery trade many Africans were transported to the Caribbean islands. Upon
arrival cultures mixed and a new was born out of the mist of evilness. Through this a certain style of drum was born a new. The frame
drums of this region of the world. In the years to follow the drums reached back to Africa in modern day Ghana and took another step
to what they are today. The landing place was Accra Ghana the capital of the county as well as the ethnic group the Ga. During the
50's the independence from colonial rule was awakened and the music propelling that was Kpalnlogo. This music need bass drums and
nothing fit the bill so in African fashion they made an instrument now referred to as the Gome to fit the job.
This instrument is so important to learn to any percussionist. This is known throughout the West as the Shekere. This name actually
comes from the Cubano culture of music. Every culture seems to have so sort of shaker or rattle that holds time. W.Africa's music
takes this time keeper and throws away all perceptions of that. There are actual families that play just these instruments and nothing
else. This "Shekere" is a drum in its self. It has proper technique and language like any other instrument. There are people who've
dedicated they're whole musical tradition to this form of musical instrumentation. It is safe to say that these instruments are some of the
oldest. Every culture has its own twist to these but again, they all serve the same purpose.
Drums of this character are known as talking drums in the West. The origins of this drum are believed to be in SW.Africa and it
migrated Northward. These drums are considered very valuable to most cultures that use them. These drums are used to open
ceremonies, sacrifices, say prayer directed to deities, heavily important in traditional healing and traditional medicine and giving praises
to those deserving. These are just a few of the common uses and many more are alive and well. The same applies when talking of the
history of this instrument as the others. Different language and techniques but same purposes and reasoning. This is a picture of the
modern Nigerian version. There is much more to be discovered if you decide to look.
The Bugaraboo origin's are little known. It is widely believed that Senegal, Libera or Ivory Coast is the hometown of this instrument.
In Senegal this drum is the accompaniment drum for the Djolla dances. Here it is played by a group each with one much like you see in
traditional afro Cuban styles. In Ivory Coast depending on which part you witness these being played, sticks, palm/stick or palm are
used. In the south these drums tuned one high and one low, groups use in place of the Attounblan. Many believe this drum to be the
ancient ancestor of the modern day Conga drum. In any case the technique is much different from its supposed modern form. The
desired whoomp sound is not so easy to achieve. In most areas cow hide is first choice of skin for this drum yet in others goat is of
preference as the case in Ghana and Nigeria. This drum has been recorded being in modern day Liberia, Ivory Coast, Senegal,
Guinea and Sierra Leon by the over two hundred years ago. The best wood used for this drum comes in abundance from the Ivory
coast and the name is Iroko as shown in the picture.
The Djembe drum is the most infamous of all African drums. Although a mere baby compared to its adults, this drum is the favorite
world wide. The grand Mali empire is given the credit for this piece of instrumental history. The most virtuoso players are said to come
from modern day Senegal, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. The more traditional players are said from Mali. There lies a
great debate that causes anger amongst most Africans that talk about it. Again, different language, style and techniques fuel the
controversy. I've learned that the traditional wood Djembe was carved from was Iroko and all others came because of commerce. This is
also a great issue of debate amongst the many who address it. This drum is the center of much knowledge for many Western
students and city Africans. The Djembe has many
folklores that follow it and many controversies that come with the great power it has. Whatever view is held on any of these subject , the
one that this drum is very special is not debated, but agreed upon.
The Seperwa is the Ashanti version of the more widely known Kora. It the main believe that long before colonial powers came that the
Wolof trader came to Akan land trading and the Kora was given into the hands of the Ashanti. Some years after the Ashanti
started conquest and the wars lasted so many generation that the knowledge of how to make the Kora was forgotten. The king wanting
the great sound commissioned the carpenters to recreate the Kora. This picture represents the recreation the carpenters made. The
name given Seperwa is actually three words in the Twi language spoken by the Ashanti. Se-per-wa(stringed instrument played by the
hands). In the colonial day the British recorded that this instrument was widely popular into the 1800's. The interest diminished however
with every next generation until in the modern it is sad to say that this instrument is made for the tourist more than Ghanaian musicians.
The Attounblan are the telephone of the Akan ethnicities of S.Ivory Coast. These are also known as the talking drums to the West.
These drums came to the Bete, Dida and other groups of modern day Ivory Coast through the spread of the Ashanti influence. It has
been recorded that the playing of these drums was so important that if played wrong in the presence was considered a great insult and
disgrace to the village and the person doing so would be put to death in accordance of keeping the honor of the village towards royalty.
These are the drums to welcome very most important people of the kingdoms. Families still survive today and their job is to pass the
traditional language of these drums for the next generation to have. It is honor to play these drums in any setting, especially for the king
or his family. These require a study of the dialect to play in any village through the Akan regions.
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