Used by particular sect of Bantu-speaking people of East Africa the Ngoma drums are musical instruments belonging to the category of membranophones. In Swahili ngoma means drum, and is used to imply certain dances, social occasions and rhythms.
The Baganda people of Uganda have a unique bond with ngoma drums and are dotingly considered as the offspring of Ngoma. An icon of authority the ngoma is employed for communication and celebration. Made of wood the Baganda ngoma is covered with cow skin on both ends, sometimes these drums are covered with the skin of zebra too. Ngoma are normally played as a set of seven drums, every drum having its own tone and role within the group. Sometimes a group of four drums are also played. Each of these drums, have a specific name since they are regarded as a separate entity. The biggest drum gives a thunderous bass sound and is known as bakisimba while the empuunya which is a slightly smaller creates a higher-pitched deep sound. The nankasa which generates a very high-pitched sound is a small drum performed with sticks. The engalabi which has skin on only one side is taller and more cylindrical than all the other drums in this set. This closely bear a resemblance to the original ngoma. It is seen that all of the other drums are wrapped on the top and bottom with cow skin by using an intricate lacing technique while the engalabi has a lizard skin head fixed with petite wooden pegs. The Nankasa also is played with sticks while the rest of the drums can be performed with hands or sticks.
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