30 Jul 2021

West African drumming can mimic sounds of language

From Morning Report, 8:52 am on 30 July 2021

Research has shed light on how the Dùndún style of West African drumming played by a group in Ifesowapo can mimic the sounds of a locally spoken language.

Skilled drummers can manipulate hourglass-shaped drums to mimic the frequency and timing pattern of the Yorùbá language.

Susie Ferguson spoke to researcher and musicologist at Arizona State University Cecilia Durojaye.