Cameroon
Cameroon

Wood, hide, raffia
Mid 20th Century
Height: 42.5 in; Head diameter: 8.5 in; Total diameter: 14 in
Membranophone – Struck (Directly) – Single Headed

A large ornately carved wooden drum from Cameroon, made of a dark stained wood that is slightly goblet shaped. The entire body is carved with a curvilinear vertical braided pattern with the exception of a small plain carved stripe/rope pattern in the middle separating the two sections. The top section is slightly larger, protruding out like the top of a goblet, and the bottom functions like a tall base or stem. The drum head is made of a dark animal skin or leather and attached to the drum with seven large wooden pegs stuck through a thick leather ring. The pegs are also decorated with braided raffia cord that weaves between each.