Democratic Republic of Congo
Luba

Wood, animal hide, pigment
20th century
Height: 15.25 inches Diameter of Drumhead: 14.25 inches
Membranophone – Struck (Directly) – Single Headed

This open vase-shaped wood carved and painted drum is embellished with incised geometric designs and an attached animal hide drumhead.  It comes from the Kuba people of the DR of Congo who distinguish three types of ‘ditumba’ drums that together form a percussion ensemble used to accompany ritual dances.  The three types of ‘ditumba’ drums include the large ‘musumpola;’ middle size ‘mutumbwe;’ and the smaller ‘dya mutumbwe’ which is seen here.  This smaller drum is played by the leader of the percussion ensemble.

This Luba ‘ditumba dya mutumbwe’ was field collected by David Brunell, an aid worker who lived in the Katanga region of southeastern D.R. of Congo, from 1974-1990.