Africa
Armpit drums
A member of the percussion family. A drum that is held under the arm, the strings that hold it together can be tightened by squeezing the arm to produce higher tones.
Djembe
A member of the percussion family. Used primarily for ceremonial purposes, this drum was also believed to have been used to pass coded messages among members of a tribe.
Kora
A member of the strings family. A twenty-one stringed instrument, the Kora is built much like a guitar but with the strings overlapped. It sounds like a harp, but when played in the traditional style resembles more of a flamenco style (A style of music popular in Mexico and Spain that incorporates complex rythms to accompany a dance).
Sanza
A member of the percussion family. Composed of various sized metal strips this instrument is played by depressing and then releasing the strips with the thumbs as you would a regular piano. This has led to it being nicknamed the "thumb piano"
Udu
A member of the percussion family. A drum made out of clay to resemble a water jug, the Udu is most often played by women for cerimonial reasons. This instrument can produce deep bass tones by hitting it directly over the hole in the side
