INTRODUCTION
Drums are used to produce rhythmic sounds for the purpose of entertainment or other purposes. In Africa, drums serve an important purpose in different ways in people's daily life.
They can also be used as instruments of announcement, warning, notice, danger or war. Drums can be used to cause anarchy and they can also be used to settle disputes.
The Yorubas believe that drums are an intermediary between them and Olodumare (God) and they use them as communication with God. There are times when barren women meet with drummers so that they can say prayers to God through the drums.
In Yoruba culture, the drums get into the mood to speak whenever the necessary rites are performed.
History of the drum
The djembe drum is probably the most influential and basic of all talking drums. Originally, it dates back to 500 AD and was originally created as a sacred drum to be used during healing ceremonies, rites of passages, ancestral worship, warrior rituals and social dances.
In Yoruba mythology, the origin of the drums can be traced to the gods and it is said that Obatala who is the most creative of the Yoruba gods must have carved the very first Agba Drum.
Agba drum which is a very sacred drum is only found in the palace, shrine or any other sacred area of the Awo initiates. It was only played by the chief priest or any qualified drummer but never by a woman. There are also other sacred drums like bata, gudugudu & Agba Drum.
Balufon Drum
The Balufon is another version of the ancient Agba drum. This drum is used during a dance dedicated to the deity of crafts and culture called Obalufon and the dance is very important to the people of Remo, Ogun state in Nigeria.
Historically, the drum has always been played only by the men and the women only danced to its rhythm. The men that played the drum did not wear clothes but only tied shaki or Aso Oke to beat the drum but that is not the case any longer
In Sagamu where I come from, the people perform the Balufon dance during coronation ceremonies and other special occasions even up till date. Incidentally, this dance was also performed during my father's Ewusi of Makun Sagamu coronation ceremony when he ascended the throne of his forefathers.
Indeed no king can ascend the throne without hearing the sounds of the dream that ushers him to ascend the throne.
I had to ask my father as the king (after necessary rites were performed) to invite the Balufon perdormers to showcase the sarced drum at Golcabash 2019, an annual event I organise to showcase our Culture & Tradition.
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| Balufon dancers and drummers performing at Golcabash 2019. |
Balufon drummers
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| Balufon dancers |
There is no doubt of the importance of the drum in African culture and it is in fact an irresistible phenomenon. Admittedly, one can can question the mythical origins of the African drum but one common truth is that the effects of the drum can be felt in the same manner through out the continent of Africa and it will no doubt continue to play an important role even in generations to come.
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