Northwestern Nigeria and adjacent southern Niger
Hausa

Wood, goat skin, fiber rope, leather
Mid-Late 20th Century
Length: 18 inches; Diameter: 7 7/8 inches
Membranophone – Struck (Directly) – Double-headed

‘Talking drum’ from the Hausa people of northwestern Nigeria and adjacent southern Niger, call kalungu.  This double-headed/waisted) kalungu, shows signs of age and usage.  The skin heads are held on by leather wrapped rings, and tightening strings are strung  parallel to the body of the drum to be used when playing. The string is made of leather rope, and there is sand/rocks inside the drum that create an additional vibrating sound when played.

The double-headed tension hourglass drum from west Africa is made from a single block of wood.  It is played with a curved stick and held under the armpit. The arm presses on strings which, by stretching the skins, modulate the sound.  This drum was played in the market place by independent amateur musicians to promote the butcher’s trade.  It was also used in marriage ceremonies to accompany dances of young girls and in farm work.

This drum is called by several different names by the various west African ethnic groups.  Some of the names are listed below:

Serer, Wolof, and Mandinka: tama, tamma, tamafola
Yoruba: gangan or dundun
Dagomba: lunga
Akan (Fante, Twi, Baule) : dondo, odondo, donno
Dagbani, Gurunsi, Moore: lunna
Hausa: kalungu, kalangu, dan kar’bi
Bambara, Bozo, Dyula: tamanin
Songhai: doodo
Fulani:  mbaggu, baggel

Resource:  Música Para Ver – World Instruments