Ngoma (also called engoma or ng'oma or ingoma)are musical instruments used by certain Bantu-speaking peoples of East Africa; ngoma is, simply, the Swahili word for "drum". Different regions of Africa have their own traditions of percussion, with different names for their instruments. In kiSwahili-speaking Kenya and Tanzania, "ngoma" is used by extension to signify specific dances, social occasions and rhythms. It is known as engoma throughout the interlacustrine [between lake] region, and the Swahili word ngoma resulted because of unease in pronouncing engoma by dropping the syllable e. The Banyankore hold drums in high regard, especially the royal drums headed by Bagyendanwa, without which a prince never laid claim to kingship.
The Baganda people of
Uganda have a special
relationship with ngoma drums, so much so that it is thought by many people
that theirs is the country where this type of drum actually originated. The
Baganda are fondly thought of as the children of Ngoma. The ngoma is used for
communication and celebration and is also a symbol of authority.
The ngoma are made of wood, which is
covered with cow skin on both ends, although you’ll also find tourist versions
of these drums covered with zebra skins. Typically, they are played in groups of seven drums,
each drum having its own voice and function within the ensemble. Another
popular configuration is made with at least four drums. Each of these drums are
treated as individuals, thus they each have a specific name. The largest drum
is known as bakisimba and makes a loud bass sound. The empuunya is a little smaller and also produces a higher-pitched bass
sound. The nankasa is a small drum played with sticks and produces a very
high-pitched sound. Last, but not least is the engalabi. The engalabi most closely resembles the original ngoma and
is taller and more cylindrical than all the other drums in this set. It also
has skin on only one side. All of the other drums are covered with cow skin on
the top and bottom using an intricate lacing system, whereas the engalabi has a
lizard-skin head
attached with small wooden pegs. This drum makes the highest pitched sound in
the ensemble.
Its also used in Zimbabwe, mainly
for traditional dances and celebrations. All of the drums can be played with
sticks or hands, except the Nankasa which is primarily played with sticks. The
Children of Uganda, AIDS orphans from the Daughters of Charity Orphanage, have been touring the world biennially since 1996 and are
the most representative proponents of the music of Uganda, outside of the
African continent. Their music and dance presentations reveal the cultural
traditions of their country, as well as the trials and travails of modern life
in East Africa today. They play a variety of traditional instruments from
Uganda, including ngoma, amadinda (marimba or xylophone), obuuti (sticks for amadinda and
ngoma), akogo (marimba- or kalimba-type
instrument), adungu (bow
harp or lute), edinqiri (tube
fiddle), endere (pan pipe).
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