Continued...
The
Nigerian talking drum is no longer a Nigerian thing, but is now a global
musician instrument. Many foreigners have researched into what makes the drum
unique in order to become better enlightened in the study of West African polyrhythmic sounds. Dr. Michael Varner, a Director of Percussion Studies at
the University of Texas at Arlington, went on a research mission to western
Nigeria to learn more about the Talking drum. He was quoted as saying, “There’s
no equivalent use of pitch in American or European music-- making individual
words impossible to imitate on other drums”.[1] Many
foreigners like Dr. Varner have hailed the impact of the Nigerian Talking drum
but it is a pity that many indigenous people have almost abandoned the talking
drum for western drums. It has now been left to the older ones or foreigners to
propagate the importance of these drums.
Some locals have begun an initiative to increase
awareness of the Yoruba culture so that Nigerians and the rest of the world can
be better enlightened about music and indeed, the talking drum. [2]A
Yoruba activist, Chief Oyelami established the Center for Creative arts in
Iragbiji, western Nigeria in order to promote Yoruba arts on the local and
international scene. Top of the agenda is the talking drum. All over the
center, different types of talking drums can be seen played by students and
performers. Many students every year travel to western Nigeria to learn about
the Talking drum since that is its origin. The talking drum’s influence can be
seen all over the Caribbean countries like Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago, etc.
After the trans-Atlantic slave trade, many freed slaves who were on these
islands chose to retain their African heritage and still play the talking drums
today. The Nigerian Talking Drum Ensemble helps spread the dance related to the
talking drums all over the world.
The talking drum is also associated with religion, as many traditional religious practices in Africa involve the playing of the talking drum.[3] The
talking drums are also used in churches in times of praise and worship not just
in Nigeria, but in different parts of the continent. In African churches in the
United States, there will be no excitement in praising God if there were no
talking drums that made people dance. In terms of celebration, the talking drum
is ever present in people’s midst. In Nigeria, every celebration, be it
funerals, birthdays, or naming ceremonies, there will be dancing, and when
there is dancing, there is the talking drum. The talking drums were initially
restricted to only men, but it later became a unisex instrument. One of the most
successful talking drum drummers from Nigeria is Ara, a woman who started from
a tender age to play. [4]She
faced numerous challenges in her journey to become a renowned drummer because
of her gender. Though it was difficult, and no one was available to teach Ara
the skills required to master this instrument, she did not lose hope. We have
now seen many drummers pick up the business of drumming in Nigeria.
The talking drum is also associated with religion, as many traditional religious practices in Africa involve the playing of the talking drum.[3] The
talking drums are also used in churches in times of praise and worship not just
in Nigeria, but in different parts of the continent. In African churches in the
United States, there will be no excitement in praising God if there were no
talking drums that made people dance. In terms of celebration, the talking drum
is ever present in people’s midst. In Nigeria, every celebration, be it
funerals, birthdays, or naming ceremonies, there will be dancing, and when
there is dancing, there is the talking drum. The talking drums were initially
restricted to only men, but it later became a unisex instrument. One of the most
successful talking drum drummers from Nigeria is Ara, a woman who started from
a tender age to play. [4]She
faced numerous challenges in her journey to become a renowned drummer because
of her gender. Though it was difficult, and no one was available to teach Ara
the skills required to master this instrument, she did not lose hope. We have
now seen many drummers pick up the business of drumming in Nigeria.
The Nigerian talking drum is a very interesting and
intriguing drum because of its ability to communicate in different pitches.
Though the talking drum is scattered all over Africa and the new world, each
country has a different one that have different meanings and significance. It
is rather sad that many locals in Nigeria have abandoned these local drums to
take up foreign drums. It is a good thing to explore foreign musical
instruments, but there could be a way to mix both types of drums to produce
soothing sounds. People should be encouraged to conduct research about different
instruments unknown to them so as not to be ethnocentric. The use of the
talking drum has migrated from western Nigeria to many parts of the world and
one can say that the talking drum is Nigeria’s gift to the world of music.
[1] Bridget Lewis, “‘Talking Drum’
Research Helps Music Professor Bridge Cultures, Languages”, University of
Texas, Arlington, News Center. 2013
[2] Jesse Ruskin, “'Talking Drums' on
Rural and Global Stages” UCLA International Institute. February 01, 2010.
[3] “Talking Drums: An Introduction”
Horn Blend December 01, 2010, Web
[4] Theodore
Nyingifa, “Ara: More Than Drums and Braids” Pulse March 26 2012, Web.
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