Ask the Scholar

{
    "localId": "110818",
    "label": "Drum (ngoma)",
    "core": "obj",
    "dtoType": "object"
}

{
    "id": "110818",
    "contentType": "object",
    "title": "Drum (ngoma)",
    "description": "This musical instrument takes its name <em>ngoma</em> from the Kongo language word for \"drum.\" Specialized craftspeople often made these drums. The wooden base is hollow and covered with a first hide, then a second one held tight by plant fibers. This allows the sound to resonate when just the first membrane is struck. In Uganda, drums contain a ritual \"heart\" known only to its maker, which helps to imbue it with power. In contrast with royal drums (<em>mpango</em>), this instrument is not considered sacred. The sounds from men striking drums could be used as a kind of communication or as music in a performance setting.",
    "date": "by 1928",
    "citation": "https://clevelandart.org/art/1929.343",
    "rights": "CC0",
    "rightsUri": "CC0",
    "language": "en",
    "wikidata": [
        "Q83556680"
    ],
    "genreSpecific": [
        "Musical Instrument"
    ],
    "iiifBase": "https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1929.343/1929.343_web.jpg",
    "thumbnailUrl": "https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1929.343/1929.343_web.jpg",
    "largeImageUrl": "https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1929.343/1929.343_web.jpg",
    "imageCount": 1,
    "source": "import",
    "dimensionsRaw": "Diameter: 31.2 cm (12 5/16 in.); Overall: 40 cm (15 3/4 in.)",
    "cul": [
        "Africa, Eastern Africa, unknown maker"
    ],
    "accession": "1929.343"
}

{
    "tec": "Wood, rawhide, and plant fiber",
    "tombstone": "Drum (ngoma), by 1928. Africa, Eastern Africa, unknown maker. Wood, rawhide, and plant fiber; diameter: 31.2 cm (12 5/16 in.); overall: 40 cm (15 3/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of the African Art Sponsors of Karamu House, 1929.343",
    "collection": "African Art",
    "didYouKnow": "Paul Travis purchased this piece in Kampala, Uganda, shortly after receiving a telegram informing him that the African Art Sponsors and the Gilpin Players had commissioned him to collect African works with money they raised.",
    "url": "https://clevelandart.org/art/1929.343",
    "creditline": "Gift of the African Art Sponsors of Karamu House",
    "updatedAt": "2026-05-29 05:52:40.847000",
    "imageUrl": "https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1929.343/1929.343_print.jpg",
    "sourceId": 110818,
    "dept": "African Art",
    "coll": "African Art",
    "med": "Wood, rawhide, and plant fiber",
    "thumbnail_url": null,
    "image_url": null
}

{
    "seq": 1,
    "pageIndex": 0,
    "type": "photo",
    "url": "https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1929.343/1929.343_web.jpg",
    "mediaId": "042b758227ad0c52"
}