 
(1993-02-17-20)
Donated by the Celeste and Emil Richards Estate. These pairs of slit drums are brightly
painted and beautifully carved to resemble beasts and
birds, each perched on a pedestal. This pairing of instruments
is common in some cultures, attributing male and female
characteristics to each instrument. The slits in each
pair are of a different length and depth to offer a
variety of tones.
Donated by Florence
'Flip' Manne
These very resonant instruments may
be played by sticks or hands and are common to the Pacific
islands. The shorter slit drum with the handle is made
from a very dense hardwood, contrasted with the larger,
soft wood drum, which weighs considerably less.
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Slit drums are among the oldest types
of percussion instruments, found in Asia, Africa and
South America. The earliest slit drums, dating back
750,000 years, were made by cutting, burning or gouging
a slit in the wall of a hollowed-out piece of wood.
The instruments vary in size from
gigantic ones, made from entire tree trunks and housed
in their own roofed shelter, to portable ones, including
the orchestral woodblock and temple block. On many of
the drums the two sides of the slit are carved to different
thicknesses in order to produce two tones. In some cultures,
slit drums are found in sets with a range of sizes and
pitches.
Slit drums are sometimes used
for signaling as well as for musical purposes. Some
signaling codes are made up of sequences of long and
short beats, while others attempt to replicate the pitch
phonemes of human speech. In many cultures, slit drums
are also played at ritual ceremonies and feasts or to
accompany dance.
Donated by Vida Chenoweth
This instrument was collected by
Vida Chenoweth during her work in New Guinea. Human
faces are carved in the handles at each end. The sides
of the drum vary in thickness and sound a whole step
apart.
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