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Talking drum

Talking drum, unknown maker, Cameroon, 1990-2010. Used for communication with villagers in the quarter of N'tabwe, in the village of Bafut near Bamenda, Cameroon. Drum plus two beaters. In Cameroon, talking drums were used for daily communication in village communities until recently. Leaders would beat out different patterns to communicate with all those in hearing, such as the approach of strangers or to call a meeting. Today, the drums are used more for ceremonial purposes, as the adoption of mobile phone technology has meant that there is less need for them as a method of communications. This includes sacrifices, and the death of a Fon (king). This talking drum was used in the village of N'tabew, near Bafut in Cameroon. In Bafut, there are six main types of talking drum: one type for announcements, one type for sacrifices, one type for dance and music, one type for personal communications, one type of the palace, and one type for calling meetings.

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  • Collection:
    Science Museum
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  • Place of production:
    Cameroon
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  • Repository:Science Museum
  • Measurements:1330 x 370 x 280, 16.5Kg, two sticks together = 0.777Kg