Reel no. 81; IS-10 January 13, 1966, [undated]

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Summary

Description: Scope/Content: Isundunrin: Dundun ensemble - Ori Oke (1) Woro; (2) Agere; (3) Etike; (4) Gbedu; (5) Aponran; (6) Akitikba; (7) Sabada; (8) Kerisimisi Description: Dundun are a family o...

Description: Scope/Content: Isundunrin: Dundun ensemble - Ori Oke (1) Woro; (2) Agere; (3) Etike; (4) Gbedu; (5) Aponran; (6) Akitikba; (7) Sabada; (8) Kerisimisi Description: Dundun are a family of stick-beaten, double-membrane, hourglass-shaped pressure drums. Tensioning thongs run along the length of the drum connecting the two heads. On the lead drum, iya'lu dundun, thongs are manipulated by hand to vary the pitch level. This flexibility allows the drummer to imitate the tones, timbres, and inflections of the Yoruba language (a three-tone language). For each of the supporting drums, known as omele isaaju (omele ako), omele ikehin (omele abo), and kerikeri (or aguda), the thongs are tied to produce a fixed pitch. The ensemble contains a primary support drum, the gudugudu or opon, that is constructed differently than the others. A bowl-shaped, single-membrane, fixed-pitched drum, it is considered by many to be the oldest and most sacred of the ensemble - sacrifice to Ayan, the deity of drumming, is made only over this member of the dundun family. Dundun is widely distributed across Yorubaland and may be used in virtually any social, religious, or ceremonial context. In situations of orisa (deity) worship, a dundun ensemble is often used as a substitute when sacred orisa drums are not readily available.

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