Classical Heartwood Ngoma Drum - 11x38 - Ashiko Style

Description

This Classical Heartwood Ngoma Drum - 11x38 - Ashiko Style (n-GO-muh) drum is carved to be lightweight and compact, making it well suited as a travel drum. The body style is a straight taper from top to base, both inside and outside dimension, similar to an extra-tall ashiko shape. The ngoma (n-go-mah) drum comes from the Congo and surrounding areas, and produces a sound similar to the conga or tumbadora drum. Our ngoma drums are hand-carved in West Africa from a solid, seasoned log of Mansonia wood. These ngomas will sound great as part of any Latin or Afro-Cuban ensemble, but are specially suited for traditional Congolese drumming. The ngoma is played standing with drum tilted, secured by a waist strap.
Features:
Average 11in playable surface, 38in tall
Thick cow skin head gives it that powerful, warm tonal sound
Ledge carved for bottom ring to help keep it in place for even sound distribution
Hydrated with coconut oil and shea butter to preserve shell, with outside surface sealed with a light coat of lacquer to lock in moisture
New black nylon rope, pre-stretched and comfortable to handle
Cloth covered rings ensure long rope life
Extra tuning rope included, easily tuned using the Mali weave technique
Comes to you with the verticals tuned up and diamonds started, ready to play
*Note that the sound holes are only carved in the 13x44 Large size Ashiko-style Ngoma, not the 11x38 size.
Design note: Each of our ngomas are hand carved, so the exact shape will vary somewhat from the pictures shown. However, the sound and general construction will be as described, and similar to the representative photos shown above.
* After import from Africa, each instrument is cleaned, inspected, tuned, and played individually to check sound and quality.
* Excellent sound quality from solid handcarved wood shell and natural West African cow skin.
* This Ngoma sounds geat as part of any Latin or Afro-Cuban ensemble, but are specially suited for traditional Congolese drumming.
* Hand crafted in Africa by village cultural artisans supported by the non-profit Africa Heartwood Project .