The pitch of the traditional talking drum from Nigeria can be adjusted to resemble the prosody and tonality of human speech. The drum is structured like an hourglass and has two drumheads—one on each end—that are joined by leather tension cords. The drumheads are formed of membranes that are wrapped around a wooden hoop, such as hide, fish skin, or other materials. The hoops are encircled by leather cords or thongs that run the length of the drum’s body.
Drumming is a specialized and frequently inherited pastime in the Yoruba culture. Professional drummers were a component of the king’s court and his retinue. Professional drummers frequently exhibit a wide knowledge of language, literature, and history. The first drummer in Yoruba history, Ayangalu, is thought to have been deified after his death. He is regarded as the patron saint of all drummers, inspiring them to improve their craft. In Yoruba, the word “Ayan” denotes drummer. Some Yoruba names begin with the prefix “Ayan,” designating their owners as the hereditary keepers of Ayangalu’s knowledge and abilities.
The drum is held underarm between the drummer’s arm and ribs, as indicated by its characteristic hourglass shape. A specially designed stick and the drummer’s fingers are used to play the drum. The drumhead tightens when the drum’s waist is squeezed, producing a higher note than when the drumhead is relaxed. A single beat of the drum can change the pitch, emulating the pitch, volume, and rhythm of human speech.
The Yoruba language is tonal, as are many other African languages. The tonic sol-fa notes do, re, and mi make up the tritonic Yoruba language. These are employed in various inflexions to communicate various messages. The drummer communicates through the phrases and pauses, which may be heard up to four or five kilometres away, using low tones for males and higher tones for females. This worked well for spreading crucial information throughout communities and villages. This made it possible to send detailed messages between villages more quickly than it would be possible for a person to ride a horse. The talking drum is also used to accompany songs and as a tool in the telling of fables and stories that convey important life lessons and advice.
