Object Name: Drum
Place of Origin: Ghana
Cultural Group: Akan peoples
Materials Used: Wood, metal, hide
Dimensions: L:30.5 cm, H: 50.8 cm (L: 12.0 in, H: 20 in)
Credit line and Accession Number: Fowler Museum at UCLA. Museum Purchase with Manus Funds. X83.333

Brass-covered drums are relatively rare in Akan expressive culture. Nketia illustrates a pair of brass-covered “atumpan” drums, which as of 1998 were on display at the Manhyia Palace Museum, Kumase. Herbert M. Cole photographed a drum quite similar to the present example at the Odwira festival in Akuropong in 1972. Aside from Odwira association, it is not clear what other musical contexts utilized these brass-covered instruments.

Source: DjeDje, J. C. (1999). “Turn Up the Volume! A Celebration of African Music”, Los Angeles: UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History. page 328