Drums of the Dagomba

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Traditional Drums of the Dagomba from Northern Ghana
The performers of Dagomba music are lunsi, members of a hereditary clan of drummers. Lunsi fulfill many vital duties in the life of the Dagomba - genealogist, counselor to royalty, cultural expert, etc. There are two main drums played by the lunsi:  the lunga (talking drum) and the gungon (bass drum).

The lunga is a double-headed hourglass shaped tension drum carved from the Shea Butter tree. By squeezing and pulling on the leather cords, the player can change the tension and thus the pitch of the drum. Pitches can vary over an octave and many intervals can be attained. In the hands of an expert, the drum becomes a way of communicating Dagbani, the spoken language of the Dagomba people. Many styles of Ghanaian music are based upon speech, therefore the bond between language and music are so intimate that it is actually possible to tune and play an instrument so that the music it produces is linguistically comprehensible. These drums come in two sizes - medium $175 USD and large $200 USD.  ($25 shipping/handling)

LUNGA - talking drum

All drums come with curved playing stick, and straps for the shoulder.

The gungon is a medium sized cylindrical bass drum used to accompany the lunga. It is double headed drum with snares on each head. It produces a rich bass tone when struck in the middle and has a wide array of high overtones and buzz when played above the snares. $200 USD ($25 shipping/handling)

GUNGON

All shells for the drums are carved in Tamale, Northern Ghana. The drums are made by Sulley Imoro, an expert of Dagomba music and dance. The drums are of the highest quality and satisfaction is guaranteed.

photo by Javier Martinez
LUNGA and GUNGON
To order, please contact info@nadabrahma.org
photo by Javier Martinez