Democratic Republic of Congo
Kuba

Wood, hide,  fiber rope, wooden pegs
Mid 20th century
Height: 32 inches
Membranophone – Struck (Directly) – Single Headed

A Kuba wooden dance drum (bulup) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Zaire. The drum is of cylindrical form tapering in the middle, with a ridged base. The upper part has incised geometric design and the hide covering the top opening, is secured in place with fiber binding and wooden tacks. The handle has a human face that extends down with a ridged section connecting to a large human hand.  A fiber rope is attached to this handle-like feature.  

Dance drums were played for entertainment and for ceremonial occasions.  The carved hand is both a visual pun (the drummer’s hand and the drum’s hand), and a reference to Iyol, the society of soldiers.  In the past, to join the Iyol, a man had to kill an enemy and bring proof to the town council in the form of a severed hand. (Boone 1951, 44; Vansina 1978, 377-78).  The face at the top of the handle, generally appears on royal objects.