slit drum

Slit-drum (a) made of wood, in form of trapezium. Hollow inside, longest parallel side has slit along length. Short parallel side has small pierced handle offset from centre; further pierced lug at side corner. Slit-drum decorated on front, back and one side with brass studs arranged in geometric patterns. Slit has seven seed pod rattles applied with wax ? at irregular intervals along inside edges. Carrying strap (b) made of strip of skin with twisted fibre cord at one end. Now detached from slit-drum. Extensive insect damage to wood.