Description

Ngoma is a Bantu term that directly translates to “drum”. Across Central, East, and Southern Africa, it refers broadly to traditional music, dance, singing, and the communal events where these instruments are played

• The Instrument: Ngoma drums are traditionally carved from a single hollowed-out tree trunk and topped with a cow-skin head that is secured by wooden pegs. Pitch is often adjusted by heating the skin over a fire. [1]
• The Tradition: Ngoma is highly participatory, combining call-and-response singing, clapping, rhythmic dancing, and ululation.