Democratic Republic of Congo
Zande

Wood
Mid 20th century
Length: 33.5 in; Height: 11 in; Width: 11.5 in
Idiophone – Struck Directly  – Slit Drum

An African slit drum of Zande origin (Bas-Uélé), in the northern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.  This zoomorphic drum in the smaller version called the ‘gugu’ is from the mid-20th century and is in the form of a bovid (hoof grazing) animal whose body constitutes the resonance trapezoid-shaped box.  The presence of engraved geometric patterns is also characteristic of the Zande ‘gugu’ slit drum.

These zoomorphic sculptured drums represented the power of spirits in the forest.  They were carved out of a block of wood and hallowed so that one side was thicker than the other, giving them a unique two-toned ‘voice’.  Early on, during many Zande social events these slit drums were played mostly by male drummers and were used as the ‘drum of the funeral home’.   Men would sit over the drum and lay one leg over the slit and beat the drum with the two ‘ndari’ sticks.  However, as time passed on, the slit drum lost its second role ‘drum of a funeral home’ and was left with only sending death announcements. Today they are used in dances, as a means of communication and in worship, embodying the social center of many Zande communities.  

The Zande had migrated from Sudan to the northern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Today they live in Central African Republic and South Sudan. 

Traditional larger drums are known particularly in northern Congo where some examples could reach impressive dimensions of several meters long.

Resource: https://art-africain-traditionnel.com/en/instruments/2148-zande-drum.html —https://music.africamuseum.be/instruments/english/congo%20drc/bakpekpe.html