Contextual Associations

This single-head membranophone is attributed to the Lele tribe, a subgroup of the Kuba people of southern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Available sources do not provide insight into any symbolic meaning associated with the face carved in high relief on this drum. Some surface areas are incised with simple geometric designs, as are many drums from this part of the DRC. The saw tooth band carved in relief around its circumference through which a plant fiber rope is threaded appears to be decorative. The rope looped around the base of the drum, which includes seed pods (rattles, natural), the hide of an animal (rodent?), and tips of animal hoofs, might be an amulet of some sort. Both men and women can play drums in Kuba and Lele cultures, and their music was, at least in the past, used during life-cycle rituals and in ceremonies of the nobility.

Description

The shell of this drum is carved from a solid block of wood, and the internal shape of its resonating chamber mirrors the goblet shape of its exterior. The upper opening of the shell is covered with a rawhide membrane. The method of attaching the drumhead to the shell is, in large part, similar to other drums in the collection from southwest Democratic Republic of the Congo. A band of leather a few inches wide runs around the circumference of the shell a few inches below the rim of the drum’s upper opening. The bottom edge of this belt is securely attached to the shell with numerous nails. Small holes are punched around the belt and the edge of the circular membrane at about one-inch intervals. A thread of vine or strong plant fiber is used to lace the head to the belt in a zigzag pattern, alternately passing through a hole in the edge of the membrane and in the belt (see detail image). It is at this stage of manufacture that the tension is most likely introduced to the drumhead. At some point in the drum’s existence a circle of natural rubber was applied to the center of the drumhead adding to its mass and probably enhancing the instrument’s bass range.

Player - Instrument Interface and Sound Production

Most tall Lele and Kuba drums from this part of the DRC. are played while standing with drum shell pinched between the player’s knees or thighs and leaning forward (see photo 66.1 in Dagan, p. 134). The player uses the palms of both hands to strike the drumhead.

Origins/History/Evolution

Bibliographic Citations

Boone, Olga. 1951. Les Tambours du Congo Belge et du Ruanda-Urundi. Tervuren, Belgium: Musee du Congo Belge. 

Dagan, Esther A. 1993. Drums: The Heartbeat of Africa. Montreal: Galerie Amrad African Art Publications.