EASTERN ETHIOPIA 



VII 



of wood with a piece of ox-hide stretched over its ends. 

 These two pieces of hide are connected by cords made 

 from banana fibre, which serve to keep them tense. 

 The disposition of the cords produces a decorative 

 effect enhanced by staining. Some of the drums are 

 of enormous size. I have seen one a yard and a half 



The Uganda drum consists of a hollow, truncated 

 cone of wood with a piece of ox-hide stretched 

 over each end. The pieces of hide are con- 

 nected by cords made from banana fibre which 

 keep them tense. The cords are sometimes 

 stained to produce a decorative effect. 



high and nearly a yard in width at the broad end. 

 The conical-shaped drum stands on its narrow end and 

 is beaten on the broad end. Large war drums are held 

 extremely sacred, and the loss of one is as much taken 

 to heart by an African Sultan as the loss of a flag by 

 ourselves. 



