Contextual Associations

Ngoma is a single-head membranophone of the Shona peoples of Zimbabwe; two ngoma are often performed together by a single drummer (gallery #2). This pair of ngoma hails from the Murehwa area in Northeast Zimbabwe where they can be heard accompanying popular social dances such as Dhinhe, Jerusarema (audio #1), and Jiti in villages. When men migrate from such villages to urban areas in search of work, they establish clubs to perform their music and dance as a strategy to maintain their social identity and to support fellow community members in times of need.

Description

The shell of a ngoma is made from a tree trunk (a preferred wood is that of the mutiti tree) that is hollowed out (to make it tubular) and given a slightly conical shape both inside and out. At the bottom, narrower end three roughly-square and outward-flaring feet are carved from the shell (detail #1). A thick cowhide membrane is affixed over the upper (larger) opening of the shell (detail #2). Holes cut around the outside edge of the membrane are stretched over nine sturdy pegs which penetrate through and protrude from the shell in a circle about six inches below the rim. About halfway down the length of the drum a simple geometric decorative band is inscribed into the shell.

Player - Instrument Interface and Sound Production

The ngoma is played by a standing drummer who uses both hands to strike the heads. Different parts of the player’s palms and fingers strike different parts of the drumheads to produce a small variety of timbres. When two ngoma are used together, one will have a slightly lower indefinite pitch that the other. 

Origins/History/Evolution

No information was found regarding the origin of the Zimbabwean ngoma or its historical evolution. It can be said that the word “ngoma” is used as a generic name for many drums of Bantu-speaking peoples throughout Central, East, and South Africa. In Zimbabwe alone the ngoma is found amongst many ethnic groups and goes by a multitude of local names that have not been well documented.

Bibliographic Citations

Ellert, H. 1984. The Material Culture of Zimbabwe. Harare: Longman Zimbabwe.

Rycroft, David K. 2014. “Mutumba (ii).” GDMI v.3: 553.

Turino, Thomas. 1999. Music of Zimbabwe “Earth and Spirit.” Cassette recording with liner notes. Record and Tape Promotions, L4 VA 100.

________. 2000. Nationalists, Cosmopolitans, and Popular Music in Zimbabwe. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.