Lukombé (slit drum)

Tetela, Kasai or Kusu

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 681

Slit drums (which acoustically function as bells) are found globally. Logs hollowed into cylindrical, trapezoidal, or zoomorphic shapes are used for sending messages or, as with this one, played in ensembles to accompany dance. Strapped to the player and held at an angle, the instrument is struck on both sides, producing from four to six tones.

Lukombé (slit drum), wood, metal, Tetela, Kasai or Kusu

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