The gourd-calabash-Igba drum. Firstly, this is a functional creation of nature with a wide variety of uses and traditions in cultures around the world, especially in African countries where it was historically used as a container for water and still, the calabash or gourdhas been serving as a percussive instrument since relics of bygone ages. When i was a kid , i remember asking my father the reason why girls were not taught how to drum..he said girls could only have a gourd drum . Then , women would go to the kings palace, each , holding a big calabash and entertain the monarch. But that was then , now it s the 21st century ,both males and females can play any drum in the Yorubaland. The gourd drum is used all over Africa especially in the western parts. The gourd drum Igba like Shekere are often connected with religion,given great respect, and play a very important role in certain traditional musical forms.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 03:07:51 +0000