Congo Drum (Democratic Republic of the Congo, exact attribution unknown)

A closely comparable example is preserved in the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren, Belgium (inv. no. MOL.1967.63.844). The two instruments correspond remarkably in their proportions, construction and method of attaching the membrane. The Tervuren specimen, however, is also recorded without a specific ethnic attribution or further information concerning its musical function. At present, the comparison therefore establishes a relationship of form rather than a secure regional or cultural identification.

Further information concerning its provenance, local name or use would be of considerable importance for its identification and interpretation. If readers possess information about a comparable drum or can identify this particular type, the Drum Museum would be very grateful for any information or contact.

Bibliography:
Boone, Olga: Les tambours du Congo Belge et du Ruanda-Urundi. 2 vols. Tervuren: Annales du Musée du Congo Belge, Ethnographie 1, 1951.
Brincard, Marie-Thérèse (ed.): Sounding Forms – African Musical Instruments. New York, 1989.
Dagan, Esther A.: Drums: The Heartbeat of Africa. Galerie Amrad, 1993.
Meyer, Andreas: Afrikanische Trommeln – West- und Zentralafrika. Staatliche Museen Preußischer Kulturbesitz, Berlin, 1997.
Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren: Collection no. MOL.1967.63.844, drum from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Wieschhoff, Heinz: Die afrikanischen Trommeln und ihre außerafrikanischen Beziehungen. Stuttgart, 1933.