Nfukula (chest drum)
This drum was used by a sikaomba, the traditional praise singer of the Tabwa people, to encourage warriors and exalt leaders. The sikaomba levered the open, concave base of the drum against and away from his chest while he sounded its skin with his hands. This action provided variations in pitch and timbre as he played, sang and performed highly acrobatic dance steps.
Artwork Details
- Title: Nfukula (chest drum)
- Date: early 20th century
- Geography: Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Culture: Tabwa people
- Medium: Wood, lizard skin, thorns
- Dimensions: Height: 11 3/4 in. (29.8 cm)
Diameter (At widest): 11 9/16 in. (29.4 cm) - Classification: Membranophone-single-headed / barrel drum
- Credit Line: Purchase, Rogers Fund and Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher M. Brown III Gift, 1994
- Object Number: 1994.23
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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