Democratic Republic of Congo
Kuba

Calabash, seeds, cowrie shells, glass beads, nut shells, fiber string, rattan
Mid 20th century
Height: 12 inches; Diameter: 9 inches
Membranophone – Struck (Directly) – Single Headed

A Kuba beaded calabash hand drum from the Democratic Republic of Congo.  This calabash drum is beautifully adorned with red, blue, and green glass beads, cowry shells, nut shells, and seeds.  The top is of leather and held in place with a wide strip of braided rattan.   A string is attached to one side for carrying.  The Kuba are most famous for their cloth and masks throughout the world but locally and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, they are renown for their decorated household items.  This Kuba hand drum was collected by my good friend, Jenna Haselton, who lives in Mpumalanga, South Africa.