Mukupiela

Unknown

19th century · Wood · Musical Instruments

Drum with nailed head and a hole on the side for a mirliton. Sub-Saharan drums feature numerous body shapes and ingenious ways of attaching the skin heads. Drums often incorporate tone modifiers, including metal plates with rattling rings, small bells, mirlitons (buzzing membranes), or rolling balls inside the body. In some areas, drums embody the kinship system and are grouped in families with the "mother" drum playing the central role. Drums may be incised with patterns related to fabric designs or sculpted with symbolic motifs that reinforce social identity.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Wood

Culture

Kuba people, Kasai cluster

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Gift of Raymond E. Britt Sr., 1977