Southwestern Nigeria
Yoruba

Wood, goat skin, cloth fiber, black filament
Late 19th Century
Height: 11 inches
Membranophone – Struck (Directly) – Double-headed

A ‘batá’ drum of the Yoruba.  The batá is a double-headed drum shaped like an hourglass with one end larger than the other.  It is played with the hands.  Straps on the sides that pull down from the hides on each end, are used to tune the drum, as each drum produces different pitches.  These tuning straps are secured with other strips of leather  encircling the drum in the middle.  The batá is used mainly in religious functions, festivals, carnivals and coronation.  They are also used to convey messages of divination.  This particular ritual drum provided important rhythmical background and messages for ceremonies such as  Shango, the Yoruba god of thunder.   A black substance called “Iro,” is placed on the drum head surface in the center.  It is noteworthy that pitched drums accord with the tonal language of the Yoruba, in which a word may have different meanings based upon the tone or pitch used as the word is spoken (tonal language). Through changes in rhythm, pitch and tone, the drums literally sing the praises of Shango and demarcate different phases in the rituals. Through extraordinary skill and musicianship master drummers can make the drums speak as they both inform and entertain the devotees of Shango.