Keeping the family flame aglow

Lagosians enjoy partying, it's a favourite pastime and, despite the hard times, they are ever ready to bring out the canopies, put drinks on ice, and party.

The most notable instrument at such events is the talking drum. Made from leather and wood, the drum is usually hung from a player's shoulder, who pounds on one face of the drum using a wooden stick curved at the end. Every note on it is a syllable, and the clarity depends on the player's skill and dexterity.

Drumming in their blood

One family that has made their mark in Lagos, playing this famous drum through three generations, is that of the late Oseni Ayanyinka. The Abeokuta-born drummer was, until his death, the Chief Amuludun of Isolo and Olorionilu (head of drummers) of Lagos State. He died on March 6, 2003 at the age of 78.

When NEXT visited the family compound at 2, Ayanyinka Street, Isolo, there were more than a dozen new drums of varying shapes hanging from the ceiling. It was a surprise when we heardthat 23-year-old Kehinde Ayanyinka, the old maestro's grandson, made them. He is the only person carrying on the family art. He said the process of making a drum starts with travelling down to Abeokuta, Ogun State or Ibadan, Oyo State, to buy wood, carved into an hourglass shape. With a keen eye, he selects those he wants and he is off.

"The quality of the wood matters, because some sound well and others do not," the young Ayan, Yoruba word for drummer, said. "Some wood are so bad they can turn into dust. You need to get the best for the drums."

It's all in the skin

Ram skins and goatskins are the most popular amongst drum makers, as they are readily available. For drums like the Conga, the deer's skin is the primo choice. Although, it is expensive, Mr. Ayanyinka said some people prefer it to the cheaper ram skins. Ole, a newly born calf's skin, is also well sought after, as it produces a particularly high note. A talking drum consists of the wood, playing faces, a score or more of leather strings running along the drum's side. They give pitches to notes played.

Lastly are the two thick leather pieces that hold every other skin to the wooden frame.

"The butcher makes sure that the animal's skin does not have any flesh hanging on it. When I get the skin, I soak in water mixed with wood ash for one or two nights. It smells very bad. Then, it will be very soft. I spread the skin on the floor. Then I spray some dry ash on it and use sliced tagiri (a variant of the melon fruit) to rub the remaining flesh away.

"When this processed skin is dry, it is ready for drum making. Awo Ilu. That is what we call Awo Ilu (Drum skin). Some people make and sell that. We used to when my grandfather was still alive."

It is this skin that he cuts up to make the drum's faces, by treating it further in water and scraping the fur off with a knife. By now, both sides are equally smooth and white. Then, follows the squeezing and stretching, making it elastic. The ropes along the side are also cut from the Awo Ilu and twisted. The dark skin that binds the taut face to the wood is lined with a piece of cloth, making it thicker. Skilled hands bind the whole thing together and a razor blade is used for the finishing.

"If I have all the materials, I can finish one drum in a few hours," he said. The drum's price starts from ₦7, 000 and is dependent on size and quality. He only makes them when commissioned to do so. "It may not bring much money, but it is my family tradition. I will not let it die," he said.