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This drum was used by a sikaomba, the traditional praise singer of the Tabwa people, to encourage warriors and exalt leaders. The sikaomba levered the open, concave base of the drum against and away from his chest while he sounded its skin with his hands. This action provided variations in pitch and timbre as he played, sang and performed highly acrobatic dance steps.
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Title: Nfukula (chest drum)
Date: early 20th century
Geography: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Culture: Tabwa people
Medium: Wood, lizard skin, thorns
Dimensions:
Height: 11 3/4 in. (29.8 cm)
Diameter (At widest): 11 9/16 in. (29.4 cm)
Classification: Membranophone-single-headed / barrel drum
Credit Line: Purchase, Rogers Fund and Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher M. Brown III Gift, 1994
Object Number: 1994.23
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