Talking Drum from Ghana

Description

The Luan from Northern Ghana is an hour-glass shaped talking drum played with a stick. The drummer squeezes and releases the cords that run between its two drumheads to change the pitch.

This drum has been used for centuries across different West African countries, often as a communication tool. In Northern Ghana this drum is used in a called and response context with other drummers.

This instrument was made in Tamale, Northern Ghana by Mohammed Alidu‘s family members, who have been perpetuating the tradition of playing and making these drums for many generations.

By buying this drum you help support our school in Ghana and the mission of the Playing For Change Foundation to use music as a tool for education and social change.

– Height: 39cm / 15.3in
-Diameter: 19cm / 7.5in

-Weight: 1.1kg / 2.42 lbs

– Drum heads: goat skin
-Body: Tweneboa wood (Cordia millenii)
-Stick: Melina wood (Gmelina arborea)
-Hanging rope: Lamb leather

IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS:

Watch a “Luan” Talking Drum Tutorial with Alidu, Ghanian percussionist and director of the Bizung School of Music and Dance.