African Ghana SQUARE TUNABLE Frame Drum, TAMALIN, 18.5"x18.5"x3"

African Ghana SQUARE TUNABLE Frame Drum, TAMALIN, 18.5"x18.5"x3"

Head is cracked on one side. The drum is STILL PLAYABLE AND TUNABLE since the crack is outside of the bearing edge. I have included instructions for replacing the head if you wish to do that.

Also know as SAMBA, GOUMBE, TAMALIN, 4-CORNER, and SHIKO, these square frame drums produce long warm tones and bright slaps. Usually held between the knees or sideways on one leg played as a support drum or to accompany songs.

Used in a variety of mobile contexts such as traditional street music, processions, KEGITE social/palm wine societies (along with OGIDO DRUMS as well as churches). Can be played with hand or stick, held flat on the lap, or sideways across the knee.

They can be tuned by banging on a set of 4 small wooden wedges (provided) at the back of the drum.

This history of these drums is very interesting as they were introduced to West Africa (especially Sierra Leone, Ghana and  Nigeria) by the Maroon people and other returning freed slaves from the Americas/Caribbean.

They are now found all across West Africa.

Product Description

The Tamalin drums from Ghana. The floating frame allows the drum to be tuned using triangular wood wedges. The tamalin is played with one hand holding frame and playing on underside of skin, and other hand playing bare or with light wood beater. This drum features:

• hand built solid wood frames and tuning wedges
• goat skin head, shaved smooth and permanently installed on exterior frame
• triangular tuning wedges included