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The Talking Drum

The talking drum is widely considered to be one of the oldest instruments in West Africa and can be traced back to the Ghana Empire. Talking drums were mainly used by West African griots, who still exist today as storytellers preserving the oral tradition and history of their villages and families. Griots were essential to West African societies as they replaced written language, in which few had access to at the time. The talking drum was a tool the griots used to assist in story-telling, communication, and guidance. Whether it was used to relay an important message, as a summoning to a ceremonial dance, or as an aid in telling fables that taught important life-lessons; the talking drum served an important function in West African cultures and had a language specific to each region.

To play the talking drum, the player nestles the drum between the body and the arm and intermittently squeezes it while the player’s other hand strikes the drum head with a mallet. By putting pressure on the ropes that hold the skins in place, the pitch and tightness can be regulated to mimic a “talking” sound.

Talking Drums in Contemporary Music

Today, the talking drum is still used in traditional tribal ceremonies. But like many ancient African drums, it’s now commonly implemented in more contemporary forms of music such as the Fuji genre. Often features alongside Nigerian hip hop music, the Fuji genre blends traditional Nigerian music with a more modern-day dance element. In the video below watch Adewale Ayuba, a Fuji music artist perform. Notice the talking drums’ presence throughout the song.

You can also hear the talking drum in Tom Waits’ “Trouble’s Braids.”

And if you’ve heard of London’s King Crimson, you might know they have a song called “Talking Drum.”

Talking Drums for Sale

Talking Drums can now be purchased from a variety of venues. If you’re looking for a traditional version, Freedom Drums makes some excellent quality authentic talking drums from Ghana:

Griot Talking Drum

Griot Rose Talking Drum

Percussion brands such as Tycoon and Toca also make some top-notch talking drums (check out the Toca version if you’re looking for a synthetic and lighter-weight version):

Tycoon Talking Drum

Toca Freestyle Talking Drum