In a
recent post on Twitter I informed us that Yoruba Talking Drums perform four
main functions. Following reactions to the post, it appears that many of us
assume that talking drum is synonymous with only Gangan and Iya Ilu. This short
piece is to clarify issues in this regard.
The
generic name for Yoruba talking drums is Dundun.
There are six drums that belong to the Dundun family. Gangan is but one of
the six, though it is arguably the most popular.
Iya Ilu:
In term of size, Iya Ilu is the biggest of the Dundun drums. If it is placed on the shoulder of an adult, it may reach to the waist. It is the only talking drum that is decorated
with ‘saworo’ [small bells]. If you have seen Tunde Kelani’s Saworo Ide, Iya Ilu is that big drum
that featured prominently in the movie. Iya Ilu as its name implies is the
Mother of All Talking Drums. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister’s drummer, Ayinde Gani Babalola
[Professor] from Ila Orangun is one of the most popular drummers with
proficiency when it comes to handling Iya Ilu.
Kerikeri:
This is next to Iya Ilu in size. Unlike Iya Ilu, it does not have saworo. It
however has leather strap that makes contact with its faces. It is this leather
strap that is called Igbaju, hence the popular saying: igbaju igbamu ni kerikeri n ba r’ode. By
the way, there is a town in New Zealand named Kerikeri. Did they borrow the
name from Yorubaland?
Gangan
needs no introduction. It is smaller than Iya Ilu and Kerikeri. Like Kerikeri,
it does not have saworo. What it lacks in size it however makes up with its
versatility. Its compact size makes it the drum of choice. Yekini Aderoju from
Ayetoro, also another popular Sikiru Ayinde Barrister’s band member, is someone
who has deservedly earned his stripe as an expert in this regard. I bet there
is none of us who did not dance to his famous: A bi di esin batakun batakun, a bi di esin batakun batakun, nibo ni nko
‘di mi si? Nihin? Lohun? You remember?
Other
famous drummers include the late Kamoru Ayansola [Sikiru Ayinde Barrister];
Orikanbody Ayanwale [Kollington Ayinla], Aromasodun [Wasiu Ayinde], Rafiu Ojubanire
[Haruna Ishola], Adewole Onilu Ola [Ayinla Omowura], Mutiu Kekere Jimoh
[Ebenezer Obey] and Shittu Shitta Alabi, the drummer of Yesufu Kelani who died
on stage with his drum in his hands in 1972.
Isaaju
is the next to Gangan in term of size. It is named the forerunner because it is the first drum you hear before Gangan and
Iya Ilu take to the centre stage. Its voice is high-pitched. It is the drum
that will indicate whether Gangan is going to be fast or slow paced.
Kannango
is smaller than Isaaju but its pitch is higher than that of Isaaju.
Gudugudu is the baby of the Dundun
Family. Unlike its brothers [or sisters] which are carried by the shoulder,
Gudugudu is placed on the abdomen with its strap around the neck. It is also
different from its siblings because it has only one face unlike others who have
two faces [Did Tu Face get his name from Yoruba Talking Drum?]. It is sometimes called Omele Dundun. When you really
want to dance, Gudugudu and Gangan are the go to drums. The Yoruba saying: gudugudu koo fi igba Kankan tu ra sile
is a tribute to the drum’s capacity to swing into action at the touch of the
drummer.
With
these few points of mine, I hope Onigegewura has been able to convince you that
Yoruba creativity is boundless. The next time you attend Owambe party, I hope you
will be able to distinguish between Kannango and Kerikeri.
Have
a great week.
