Drumming is a vital part of the cultural heritage of we the Yoruba people of Southwestern Nigeria. Drums are used in special occasions, festivals, carnivals, ceremonies. They even add special effects and style to some bits of our culture. Drums are differentiated by the sound they make, how they are made, history, and appearance. For Yoruba people, ceremonies dictate the kind of drums to use.
Here is a look at some of these important drums.


1. Gangan/ Dundun (Talking Drum):

Important Drums Of The Yoruba People
Gangan is also known as ‘Talking drums’ . It holds a special place in the tradition of the Yoruba people, and its use in Yoruba folklore cannot be overemphasized. Its origin can be traced to the Old Oyo Empire in South-West, Nigeria. It was introduced as a means of communication during inauguration of the Alaafin of Oyo. Talking Drums are used to imitate different tone and chant patterns of the Yoruba language. Its hourglass shape makes it possible for it to be held under the arm. It is made of adjustable cords. This cords can determine the pitch of the drum. If the cords and strings are pulled hard, the sound or tone from the drum would increase and if the chords are softly squeezed, the sound will be low. They are frequently used in modern churches, festivals, wedding ceremonies and carnivals.


2. Bata:

Important Drums Of The Yoruba People
Bata is another important drum used by the Yoruba people, a double-headed drum shaped like an hourglass with one cone larger than the other. It’s used majorly in religious functions, festivals, carnivals and coronations. It’s also used to convey messages of hope, divination, praise and war.
A set of batá consists of three drums of different sizes. The drums are similar in shape to an hourglass and each drum has two different sized heads. The batá are played sitting down with the drum placed horizontally on the knees. This allows the drummer to play with both hands.
The Iyá (“Mother”) is the largest drum and leads the group, playing long, complex patterns with many variations and initiates conversations with the other two drums. Iyá are often adorned with a garland of bells and bronze caps called “Chaworo” which enrich the vibrations and the timbre when the drummer plays the instrument.
The Itótele is the middle-sized drum, playing long, but less complex patterns with some variations as well as answering and occasionally initiating conversations.
The Okónkolo is the smallest of the three playing short, simple patterns with occasional conversations and variations.
The Bata drum has different parts which include; “Igi Ilu”(wooden frame work), leather, “Egi ilu”(thick brooms for support), “Osan”(wire work), “Iro”(black substance placed on the drum surface), “Bulala”(drumstick made from leather), and cowries.


3. Omele ako:

Important Drums Of The Yoruba People
Fondly called ‘Omele’, it is known as the “Sakara”drum. It is a shallow drum with a circular body made with baked clay. Goat skin is used in making the heads of the drum while spaced pegs around its body are used for tuning. They are used during wedding ceremonies, traditional coronations and festivals.


4. Gbedu/ Ogido:

Important Drums Of The Yoruba People
Gbedu literally means “a big drum” is a percussion instrument traditionally used on state occasions or during ceremonies of Ogoni, the ancient Yoruba secret society.
The Gbedu drum is said to have been brought to the Lagos area in the seventeenth century by Edo diplomats, symbolizing the hegemony of the Benin Empire Among the Yoruba, the Gbedu drum signifies royalty.
It is covered in carvings representing an image of a goddess, animals and birds. They are played by drummers using both their palms and drumsticks. It signifies royalty in the Yoruba land. In ceremonies such as the “Isagun rites”, the Oba might dance to the music from the drum and no one else is allowed to do the same.


5. Ashiko:

Important Drums Of The Yoruba People
Another important musical instrument among the Yoruba people, Ashiko is a tapered cylindrical shaped drum with its head on the wide end and its narrow end open. It’s usually made with hardwood and goatskin hide, played with the hands and tuned by ropes. They are mostly used in festivals and community celebrations.


6. Saworoide:

Important Drums Of The Yoruba People
Saworoide also known as “Saworo”is a type of talking drum decorated with brass bells and chimes. Such bells are attached to leather straps for support. They are called “Chaworoide”and“Chaworo”in Cuba.

Click here to see photos:- http://www.247gistreal.com.ng/2018/06/important-drums-of-yoruba-people.html?m=1

NIGERIA GOT BEAUTIFUL CULTURE .
I LOVE MY COUNTRY.

OP, A picture speaks more than A thousand words!

* Number 6 is simply the same category as number 1, so in reality, you have only listed 5 drums.

* Omele is different from Sakara. Omeles are smaller models of drums beaten with hardened leather strips that accompany the bata, they are usually three miniature "drumlets" bound together and placed across the body.

There are also the following:

Akuba
Bembe
Gudugudu
Sakara
Igbin

And a few other important ones.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/2718009_nigeria111_jpeg6131ed57053bbe0a34f31eab3a104094

www.nairaland.com/attachments/2718108_7788774054244428724591059162150o_jpeg9ef83fcb268a4f13201ce06fdca595c4

www.nairaland.com/attachments/2718232_screenshot20150807at1_jpeg203a46192eb66b8a6973ca250e8bcd3a

www.nairaland.com/attachments/2718012_callofthedrum1_jpegadc1a058e5633e2919b1ba14f4c5b5d3

When it comes to drumming and percussion in general across Africa and probably the entire planet, Just give it up for the Yorubas.
That is the reason behind the success of our polyrhythmic music which is the very foundation of modern Nigerian music of today. improved upon by the addition of other modern spices of course.

dem dey play am for gods too nah

Ok

I love the Yoruba Culture

Rubbish who those drums done epp self

It is interesting how the tonic solfa can be produced on the flat surfaces of these drums. Music is a universal language.

Wetin I be wan talk go get me ban, make I just chill

Nice thread

Love hearing them at parties

Proudly Yoruba

Cool

Ashá wá, Èdé wá!

Omoluabi toh legit

The drums they use in begging money at functions/parties

What of the ear drum The most important for all races

Shaworoide is still gangan

Yorùbá ni mí
Ọ̀yọ́ ni ìran mi

femi4:
Shaworoide is still gangan

You're wrong

binsanni:
Rubbish who those drums done epp self

so many my guy e.g sunny ade, majek fashek, Ara, Wasiu Ayinde, and so many Musician

binsanni:
Rubbish who those drums done epp self

Ask Ara that Steven wonder told her to collaborate with him in his album by using drums and Sikiru(the drummer that won Grammy awards).

Really nice write up.
I want to get one for hubby seeing he loves music so much and has turned everything to musical instrument in our house , which would you advise for a beginner?
Anyone in the know, please?

binsanni:
Rubbish who those drums done epp self

Sikiru Adepoju is a Yoruba drummer and he won two Grammys im 1991 and 2008

Since you descendants of Judas Iscariot were kicked out of Isreal till this day, none of you have ever won a single Grammys. Meanwhile, Yorubas have 13 Grammys.

As at when Yorubas started winning Grammys, your fathers were still naked in the bush, living in trees and learning how to make human sounds.

Great culture, beautiful people.

Yoruba ni wa o swagger.

dreamworld:

You flatheaded wawa miscreants have no no past pitiable present and a bleak future. Heck, you can't even trace your lineage 6 generations back.

Before you talk nonsense, let me ask you a simple question: your people originated from where? Remember Jews conducted DNA tests on you lots and said you don't have a single strain of Jewish roots in you.

This thread is for those who have an identity so STFU and lament your ill luck in silence.

dreamworld:

Drug Peddling Amaka! Ashawo Amaka! Igbo Amaka! Awon Oloriburuku Amaka!

[quote author=chuksanambra post=68229651][/quote] Oloriburuku Olofo Omo Oshi Anambra Amaka!