Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal, the Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau
Mandinka
Wood, hide, synthetic rope
Mid 20th Century
Length: 24 inches x Drum Diameter: 16 inches
Membranophone – Struck (Directly) – Double-headed

The dunun is a double-headed rope-tuned cylindrical drum with a hide (usually cow or goat skin) at both ends.  There are several varieties among the Manding-speaking peoples and their neighbors in the Sahel and Sudan belts of West Africa. Dunun is also a generic term for ‘drum’ in the Manding languages. This drum is made from a single log, but today, some are made from recycled metal containers. The straps of both drumheads on this dunun are connected by synthetic rope lacing, that applies tension to the heads. Only one head is struck, either by a straight stick or wood or raffia stalk, or a curved stick with a flat head, depending on the region. 

Formerly the dunun was used for communication to announce local rulers and public affairs.  Today it is played in a musical ensemble with the djembe. Traditionally, the drum is played horizontally (placed on a stand or worn with a shoulder strap). For a right-handed player, the right hand plays the skin and the left hand optionally plays a bell that may be mounted on top of the drum or held in the left hand. The latter style is popular in Mali and originally came from the Khassonké (Xasonka) people.

Three different sizes of dunun are commonly played in West Africa.

• The dundunba (also spelled dununba) is the largest dunun and has the lowest pitch. Typical size is 24–28 inches in length and 16–20 inches in diameter. “Ba” means “big” in the Malinké language.
• The sangbani s of medium size, with a higher pitch than the dundunba. Typical size is 20–24 inches in length and 12–16 inches in diameter.
• The kenkeni is the smallest dunun and has the highest pitch. Typical size is 18–20 inches in length and 10–14 inches in diameter.