Imagine hearing a drumbeat and knowing exactly what it means. No words. No phones. Just rhythm. African villages had a unique method of communication long before the internet and cell phones, thanks to the magical sounds of talking drums. You read correctly—drums that can speak.
Talking drums were common in many West African cultures, particularly among the Yoruba and Akan. You’d hear them in palaces, markets, and farms. Expert drummers resembled human phones. They were taught how to use sound to "say" full sentences. Not everyone was able to do it. It required extensive knowledge of the drum and the language, as well as practice.
What Are Talking Drums in Africa?
African talking drums are distinct from other types of drums. These instruments, which have an hourglass shape and are particularly famous in West Africa, can mimic the rhythms and tones of human speech to "talk."
Drummers can produce high and low sounds by adjusting the ropes on the drum's sides, simulating the rise and fall of our voices when we speak. With the help of this special feature, the drum can "say" words and even entire phrases!
Drummers can produce high and low sounds by adjusting the ropes on the drum's sides, simulating the rise and fall of our voices when we speak. With the help of this special feature, the drum can "say" words and even entire phrases!
How Were Messages Sent by Talking Drums?
Before the invention of modern technology, communities had to devise innovative ways to send invitations, warnings, and news over long distances. Drummers would play unique rhythms to call people together for celebrations, warn of impending danger, or announce significant events. At times, a message would spread from village to village, with each group of drummers repeating the beat so that the news could travel for miles. It resembled a kind of texting or social media from the past. In many African communities, these rhythms were taught to children at a young age, making drumming an enjoyable and important aspect of daily life.
Drummers on Parade. Image source: WikipediaFun African Drum Facts for Kids
•There are other well-known African drums besides the talking drum! The djembe and dundun are well-known and have their unique sounds and stories.
• Professional drummers, sometimes called griots, are respected as keepers of history and tradition, using their drums to tell stories, share proverbs, and pass down cultural knowledge.
• The language of the talking drum is so detailed that it can express not just words, but emotions, poetry, and even jokes!
Talking Drums in Cultural History for Children
While children today pick up texting quickly, African children learned to listen in the past. They learned how stories were told by drums as children. Teaching children about African talking drums is about pride, not just history. It demonstrates how intelligent, inventive, and interconnected African communities were even before Wi-Fi.
This is children's cultural history, and it's entertaining to use. It also demonstrates the long-standing close connection between music and messages in Africa, transforming ordinary news into a celebration of rhythm and community. These drums teach us that communication involves more than just words; it also involves emotion, culture, and community.
Have you ever tried playing a drum or making music to send a message? If you could send a message through a drum, what would you say?
Share your ideas or your own drum stories in the comments below!
