Southwestern Nigeria
Yoruba

Clay, goat skin, wood
Mid 20th Century
Diameter: 10 inches
Membranophone – Struck (Directly) – Single Headed

Drumming is a vital part of the Yoruba people in southwestern Nigeria, and drums are essential to their cultural ways of life.  This shallow drum of the Yoruba is known as a ‘sakara’ drum, but it is called ‘omele oko’ by the Yoruba people.   It has a circular body made with baked clay. Goat skin is used for the head of the drum while spaced wooden pegs around its body are used for tuning. The omele is used during wedding ceremonies, traditional coronations, and festivals. It is played by striking the drum head with a wooden straight stick in one hand while the other hand supports the drum in a vertical position, on the top of the leg while sitting, and uses that hand’s fingers to mute the drum head to create variations in sound.