Royal Kete drums Asante Ghana
Tambours royaux du Ghana.

"The term Kete refers to […] a specific drum ensemble, a type of music, and a manner of dance found in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. […] Although almost every level of chief has drums, Kete is solely the privilege of paramount chiefs and the Asantehene, the titular head of Ashanti. The Kete drummers are in the service of the chief and hold a position in the royal court. The drums themselves are owned by the chief and are considered one of the marks of his office.
They are played only for court-related functions unless the chief gives special permission for them to be played elsewhere. For example, the Kete ensemble always plays at the funeral of the chief or members of the royal lineage but would not normally play at the funeral of a commoner."
excerpt from:
Koetting, James (1970) : An Analytical Study Of Ashanti Kete Drumming.
Masters Thesis: University of California, Los Angeles


The instruments of kete set are, the petia (small stick drum), kwadum (master drum), apentema (hand drum), and abrukua / aburukuwa(stick drum).


Bibliography:
Anku, W. (2009) : "Drumming among the Akan and Anlo Ewe of Ghana. An introduction." African Music 8(3): 38-64
Chernoff, J. M. (1979) : African rhythm and African sensibility. Aesthetics and social action in African musical idioms. Chicago, London, Chicago University Press.
Koetting, James (1970) : An Analytical Study Of Ashanti Kete Drumming.
Locke, David (1998) : Drum Gahu - An Introduction to African Rhythm.
Nketia, J. H. K. (1963): Drumming in Akan communities of Ghana.
Rattray, Robert Sutherland (1927) : Religion & Art in Ashanti. London, Oxford University Press.