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Source 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.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
110818
label
Drum (ngoma)
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
1
Source metadata
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
rights
CC0
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
wikidata
Q83556680
genreSpecific
Musical Instrument
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
Source extras
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.
creditline
Gift of the African Art Sponsors of Karamu House
updatedAt
2026-05-29 05:52:40.847000
sourceId
110818
dept
African Art
coll
African Art
med
Wood, rawhide, and plant fiber
thumbnail_url
image_url
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
042b758227ad0c52