Atumpan
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The Atumpan is a large traditional drum of Ghana in West Africa. It has a wooden body with animal skin stretched over the drum head. The skin is held in place by tension cords. Atumpans are usually played in pairs. The higher-pitched drum is called the female drum ; the male drum is lower in pitch. To play the atumpans, you stand them upright and beat the stretched drum heads with hooked sticks, with the palms of your hands, or with your fingers.
| Family |
| Percussions |
| Pitch range |
| None. |
| Material |
| Wooden body, with a drum head of stretched animal skin. |
| Size |
| Approximately 31 in (80 cm) high. |
| Origins |
| The atumpan is a West African drum. It is particularly associated with the Akan people of Ghana. |
| Classification |
| Membranophone: an instrument that produces its sound by the vibration of a stretched skin. |
| And also... |
| The atumpan is often called a "talking drum" because an experienced drummer can use it to imitate the tones and rhythms of African languages, so that the drum really does "speak." Atumpans can be used to communicate over long distances. They are also played to accompany dances. |
