84 



EASTERN ETHIOPIA 



VII 



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

 These two pieces of hide are connected by cords made 

 from l)anann, fibre, which serve to l^eep them tense. 

 The disposition of tlie cords produces a decorative 

 effect enhanced l)y staining. Some of the drums are 

 of en(irmi)us size. I liave seen one a vai'd and a half 





Tlio Uganda drum ooii'-ists ai i liollow, truncated 

 cone of wood with a piece otoxdiide stretched 

 over each end. The ))jeces of hide are con- 

 nected by cords made from banana fibre wliich 

 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 etid. Large war drums are held 

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

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

 ourselves. 



