Apentema
(1993-06-02)
Donated by the Celeste and Emil Richards Estate.

Traditionally carved Apentema with seven tuning pegs.

"Talking drums" are a general class of drums found in Western Africa that use different pitches to imitate the spoken word for communication purposes. This particular design of drum, called the Apentema, originates in the Ashanti region of Ghana, and is carved from a single tree trunk. It is goblet shaped, with a hollow pedestal base. This type of drum belongs to a set of usually six drums, call the Fontomfrom drum set, which are ceremonial in nature and owned by a tribal chief.

The Apentema is usually used to accompany two larger drums called Atumpan, the true “talking drums” played by the Master Drummer. In addition, the Apentema is found as a member of the Adowa and Kete drum sets and is sometimes played by itself. The drum can be played with the hands, using open and closed strokes, in order to imitate the sound of vocal inflections, especially when used as a companion to the Atumpan. Traditionally, the Apentema uses antelope skin for the beating membrane and sits on the floor while being played.

This drum is 27 inches tall, with a 15 1/2-inch diameter body at its widest point. The base is seven inches in diameter, and the opening for the drumhead is 10 1/2 inches in diameter. The head is laced around a metal ring with string that is attached to seven wooden pegs. The pegs are pushed into the body of the drum to increase the tension on the head for proper tuning. It has traditional carving patterns that include horizontal rings around the body, with vertical carvings etched below the rings. On the body of the drum is a traditional rectangular carving, or "eye," which was used in earlier times as a point of sacrifice for the spirit of the tree.

Detail of the laced head and tuning peg	Detail showing the traditional rectangular "eye" decorative carving.

— James A. Strain, PAS Historian and Otice C. Sircy, PAS Museum Curator & Librarian