Drum

This instrument was collected in the field by Antoinette and Diana Powell-Cotton, and is used at ""efundula"" wedding ceremonies only, for dancing and denoting ritual stages. It is a large and narrow, single-headed drum, made from a single piece of hollowed wood, with a shaved animal skin membrane attached with small wooden pegs. The bottom of the drum was abruptly tapered to form a kind of pedestal spike that is used to secure the drum in the ground while playing. The drum is then held between the knees and played in standing position. The drum head has a patch of dark resinous paste (fardela or idá) that is used to improve the timbre of the membrane.