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Hourglass drum
Unknown people
19th century
Object Place: Niger
Medium/Technique
Wood, animal skin, plant fiber, cloth
Dimensions
Height 47.5 cm, diameter 23 cm (Height 18 11/16 in., diameter 9 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Leslie Lindsey Mason Collection
Accession Number17.2185
CollectionsMusical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Membranophones
DescriptionHourglass-shaped body of dark wood. Animal skin heads at each end, held in place by laces of thin twined plant fiber, with six additional loops of twine around laces at waist. Roll of red cloth encircling each head and separate strip serving as carrying strap.
ProvenanceFrancis W. Galpin (1858-1945), Hatfield Regis, England; 1916, sold by Francis W. Galpin to William Lindsey (1858-1922), Boston, Massachusetts; 1916, gift of William Lindsey, in memory of his daughter, Leslie Lindsey Mason, to the MFA. (Accession Date: October 5, 1916)
Namowoyili Mali Kpam Pam ("God's House is Very Strong") & Damba Sochendi ("Processional for the Damba Festival")
Traditional
Performed by David Locke on a lunga, Ghana, early 20th century