Namalwa; friction drum

Namalwa, friction drum. The shell of mongongo wood (Schinziophyton rautaenii), tapering slightly towards a narrow rim at the base. The undulating edge of the ox-hide membrane is pegged directly to the shell. The surface of the shell is untreated, apart from a dark band burnt below the pegs and the lower rim, which is also black. A round stick of mongongo wood is attached to the centre of the underside of the membrane and extends thorough the central cavity, with its end in line with the lower rim. The skin vibrates when the stick is rubbed.