Slit Drums

Slit drums/gongs are idiophones and are often referred to as a wooden drum without a drumhead.  They are made by hollowing out a log through a long narrow opening.  One edge of the opening is thicker and emits a low tone when struck, while the other side is thinner and produces a high tone.  Slit drums are played with sticks. Because slit drums can mimic the tones of human speech, they are used to transmit messages over long distances. They are also used to play and accompany music.