Kalangu: The talking drum
The Kalangu is a West african instrument. The african instrument is used in africa to tell stories and to communicate over vast distances. African people enjoy playing this instrument, it brought so much joy people's lives.
ThThe time period of this instrument: Late 19th century early 20th century
Geographic and Cultural Associationscontinent -
continent - Africa region - West Africa
nation - Nigeria formation - Hausa
Here are some facts about the Kalangu
How the instrument is played .
I'This instrument is played the hausa people of nigeria . Often called a "Talking drum" by changing the pitch of the drum, kalonay players can imitate the tonal quality of various African languages used to accompany religious chants, dancing,and local festivities and send messages. The talking drum from its description when struck produces a pitch which mimics speech tone (a prosody of human speech), the drummer does not interpret speech verbally but chooses to use an interpretive description that closely represents the spoken word. The drum can also mimic verbal speech directly when short sentences are used by beating the drum head with a bent drumstick and manipulating the leather cords, achieving this is no mean task and it takes years to become a master drummer
Construction of the instrument
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The talking drum traditionally is carved from tree trunks and molded into an hourglass shape, the drum head usually has a membrane that is made out of dried animal skin like sheep, cow, goatskin depending on the functionality, but today’s drums head are made out of suede material.
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The drum has many leather tension cords fastened to the head which cascades down the sides and is attached to the bottom region.The drum can be decorated with animal skin, cowries, shells and rattle beads that add to its stylized sound. The talking drum has greatly contrasting sizes such as the dual small sized Bata drums that is carried round the neck with the drum positioned chest high.
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Membrane design - framed with rigid flesh hoop
Who plays this instrument .
This instrument is primarly played by the Hausa people of Nigeria
He was a well-known Hausa griot/musician among the Hausa people of West and North-east Africa. His vocals were often accompanied by talking drums, known as kalangu.
He performed for the Hausa people of Northern Nigeria for more than half a century.
