Description

The inspiration of the painting is from an African tribe in Nigeria, Benin, Ghana and Togo (Yoruba).

The word “Ayan” means drummer in the Yoruba language. This painting portrays a man in his Agbada (a loose-fitting robe worn by men in Nigeria) playing the gangan and dancing along to the beat. The drum (gangan) is played with a curved stick (included) and worn over one shoulder with a traditional leather strap. These drums produce amazingly rich tones; their pitch shifts dramatically when squeezed, in order to replicate the human voice.

Several Yoruba men are gifted at playing drums. They use these drums during different ceremonies.

They are played in times of peace and war, planting and harvesting, birth and death. Drums have been such a large part of Africans’ cultural experience for a long time.

This talking drum is used for many purposes. The talking drum is used in ceremonial functions and events like weddings, e.t.c. It is commonly used by African bands as part of their musical instruments.

Drums are inseparable from the African culture because they help define it.