Big drum

I just returned to the village after a few
days in the capital.
As mentioned in the prior blog post, the
cultural group received their first drum
out of two that was requisitioned.
The man standing behind the drum is about
5 ft 8 inches or 1.727 meters tall. That should
give a rough idea as to how tall the drum is.
This evening the Cultural Group broke it out
for the first time.
It was a energized moment. The dancers
danced spiritedly in honor of their new drum.
This drum has a real heavy big drum sound
to it and there is no doubt from anyone hearing
it, that it is substantial.
The drum head is made of goat skin and being
that it is new, is still a little damp and will
tighten up more in time. Despite that it has a
good sound.
The man who made the drum at first was skeptical
that we would pay for it. He mentioned that he'd
made drums before for people whom didn't pay.
He was one happy man when he received his
money immediately upon completion. He then
went back to finish the second one and said that
by Monday it should be completed.
The man worked hard and had to travel out deep
in the bush to find the tree suitable for the drum.
He went into a somewhat dangerous area where
there are buffalo, elephants, hyenas. If there are
buffalo, then probably a few big cats and of course
snakes, just to make this drum. He did a great
job and again, it sounds strong.
An idea for next Saturday night is to bring both
new drums out to the cultural area, light a fire
and have the group perform for the village. Just
like it was in the 'old days'.
I hope we can organize it and make it happen, it
would be great to be able to step back in time
for one night.