Owner: HWMC
Catalog#:  AF-MBST-041-14

Provenance: University Museum Deaccession papers state it was collected by Quaker missionaries in Kenya during the 1920’s

Single-headed Drums

Kenya Drum (Snake)

Kenya
Kenyan

Wood, hide, kaolin paste
Early 20th century
Height: 11 inches; Diameter 7.5 inches
Membranophone – Struck (Directly) – Single Headed

A Kenya single headed ceremonial snake drum with geometric etching.  The designed etching is also painted and is shown on the snake as well as around the top circling the drum and on the back.   This drum shows age and usage, and was carved from a single piece of wood.  All the original plugs holding the drum skin head on to the opening of the goblet-shaped resonator are retained and appear as long spikes when looking inside the drum from the bottom.  There are two triangle protruding knobs with a hole in each and rope feed through one.  This shows that the drum was worn and possible played while hanging from the shoulder.

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