Ntama

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The ntama is an african double-skinned drum with variable tension made of a hollowed-out hourglass-shaped wooden barrel. In Mali, both the Bwa and the Kaado tribes are said to have invented this instrument. A smaller version of the ntama is called a ntamani.

The ends are covered by two goatskins stretched over a stiff circle and tied together by flexible leather laces. The narrow center is placed under the arm (hence the name "armpit drum") and the drummer varies the pressure on the lacing, modifying the pitch. This creates sliding and altered tones. The skin is struck with a thin curved stick. For the ntamani the skin is stuck with the fingers.

All of Africa's social classes are familiar with this age old instrument, used by criers to announce meetings on the public gathering area to hear urgent information. The ntama can also beat dance rhythms when played with the djembe.

This drum is also called the "talking drum" because the sliding tones are similar to some spoken African languages.

[edit] See also

• dunun
• djembe

[edit] Sources

• Blanc, Serge. African Percussion: The Djembe. : Serge Blanc, 1997.