Slit Drum
Slit drum of "wangey" wood with human face carved on handle
7/2017 spell check: Wenge Wood.
- Object: Slit Drum
- Artist: -
- Circa: -
- Dimensions: 16" long
- Culture Area: Africa (Zaire)
- Cultural Group: Yaka (Or related group)
- Cultural Context: Decorated slit drums are quite popular among the Yaka people for both music and ritual rights and has become one of their most well recognized cultural symbols. When used ritualistically, the slit drum is called a Mukoku, and plays an import aspect in Yaka divination and burial rights, which in turn, forms an integral cornerstone of Yaka culture. “The slit gong is seen as a representation of the diviner by the members of Yaka society. It is carried at all times by the diviner, used as a seat, and as a container to prepare medicines”
- Donor: Dr. John D Spenst
- Catalog #: 84.030