Southern Ghana and southeastern Côte d’Ivoire

Fante (Fanti)

Wood, hide, fiber rope, kaolin paste
Early-Mid 20th century
Length: 31 in; Diameter: 20 in
Membranophone – Directly Struck – Single-headed Drums

The Fante (Fanti) people, along with Asante and Baule, comprise three of the larger ethnic groups that make up the Akan. Akan is a generic term used to refer to a large number of linguistically related people who live in southern Ghana and southeastern Côte d’Ivoire. 

This large elaborate drum comes from the Fante (Fanti) people, who played it only  during large festivities. The drum is characterized by its incised geometric background design that is surrounded with painted high relief symbolic motifs recounting local proverbs. The entire drum is carved from a single piece of wood that is hallowed and sits atop a figurative substructure.  The caryatid takes the form of both a zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures.   

Drums were once the main form of communication, but now are the foundation of musical beats during festival galas and other important events.  This drum would only be used for large and important events of the Fante people.