Material: Wood & Leather

Carved from a solid block of wood and crowned with a hand-stretched hide, this African leather drum is as much a sculpture as it is an instrument. Its form, whether goblet-shaped like the djembe or more cylindrical like a barrel, has been perfected over generations to create a sound that is both powerful and deeply resonant. The hide, of often goat or cow, is tightened with woven bands of beautiful shades that double as ornamentation, giving the drum its distinct character and tactile beauty.

But what sets these drums apart is not just their construction; it is their role in human connection. In villages across West Africa, the drum has long been the gathering voice, calling people together, announcing events, and punctuating daily life with rhythm. In ceremonies and rituals, its beat becomes sacred, guiding dancers and marking spiritual transitions. During festivals, it transforms into a celebration itself, filling the air with energy and joy. Even in storytelling, the drum plays its part, echoing words with rhythm and keeping memory alive.

The African drum is more than an object; it is identity. Each beat ties the present to the past, reminding us of the ways rhythm has always been a language, a celebration, and a way of belonging. To hold or play one is to touch the pulse of a culture, timeless, unbroken, and alive.

SIZE: 10’’ W x 9” D x 12” H