88 
EASTERN ETHIOPIA 
VII 
SO as not to ‘‘ mar the dancers’ skill.” When a drum 
is not in tune, the drummer collects some grass 
and makes a small fire, over which he heats the hide 
until it becomes tense enough to furnish the proper 
An Ashantee Fetish Drum. (British Museum.) 
note. When drums are played by hand, variations are 
produced by striking the stretched skin with the palm, 
the finger-tips, the knuckles, or the closed fist. The 
music and dancing usually last many hours, and in 
