Drumming New Worlds

Drumming New Worlds Header © Goethe-Institut

Exhibition Statement

Drumming New Worlds is an immersive creative exploration of the Yoruba talking drum that connects innovation, art, and culture to answer the question: What language does the talking drum speak? Using time as a focal theme, we unravel the threads of past stories, reimagine current difficulties, and showcase an imagination of a future of limitless possibilities. This project is a curated experience designed to create a better understanding of the intersection of tradition and technological expression.
Originating from the Oyo town, the dundun drum is more than an instrument; it's a living testament to the soulful beats that have connected communities and celebrated life for centuries. Furthermore, we learn about the true identity of the original drum maker and the Ayan descendants
On this journey, we present you to see the seamless blend of heritage and modernity as we use different mediums to educate the audience about the talking drum and its history, using the custodians of this history: The Ayans. Our project is a curated narrative that will lead you through the intricate fabric of cultural evolution and technological advancement.
With a deliberate emphasis on storytelling, each element has been carefully selected to convey the essence of our theme- time. Our curation invites you to participate with the project on numerous levels, from visual displays to interactive installations, building a sense of connection and resonance.
The drum is not just the tool of communication, but a vessel and portal for world-making, a weapon of justice. The drum prototype ushers the drum into this age and aims to encourage its use by artists and the younger generation. We step into the future, 2095 where we see the Ayan descendants and how they interact with the future through augmented reality.
The goal of our project is to demystify and appreciate the talking drum, allowing its timeless rhythms echo in the digital age. This journey is more than just an exhibition; it is an invitation to reflect, appreciate, and participate in the dynamic interaction between tradition and innovation.
This is a celebration of the Yoruba talking drum—a celebration that not only pays homage to its history but also propels it into a vibrant future.

What Language does the Talking Drum Speak?

 By David Odiase

Before tongues were,
I was.
A deity descending from the void,
A monument carved from thickets of silence.
Before teeth and lips conjured vowels and diphthongs,
I spoke,
As Voice; As being In that small hut of creation,
Where the Orisa made fate, I was an hourglass - the eldest relative of time.
I was the first orator, the Akobi of all languages,
I was the ensemble:
Ìyá-ìlù,
Kẹríkẹrì,
Gángan,
Omele Ìṣájú,
Omele Atèlé
Gúdúgúdú.
Gúdúgúdú kan! Ìyá Ìlú kan! (X3)
……in whose gyrations, Edumare made the planets move,
I was and am, the eternal DunDun dance that is divinity,
The muse for why Obatala made footsteps.
I was and am, Àyàn Àgalú
A deity descending from the void,
The matriarch mother of music,
Handed down to mankind,
Custodian of heritage
Come listen to the genealogies of kingdoms drummed into my hide,
I was…

Drumming New Worlds Members

Product Designer Josh Egesi and the team embarked on a quest to unravel the essence of the talking drum—the cadence of its sound and its unique ability to mimic the language of the Yorubas. Understanding its core, they reimagined and constructed a prototype that modernizes the material while still resonating with the essence of this ancient technology.
In their innovative redesign, they replaced the traditional wooden core of the drum with hollowed plastic, a material readily available and otherwise would contribute to pollution in the region. Retaining the stretched goatskin and tension chords, they introduced a microphone and transmitter, revolutionizing its capabilities. Leveraging 3D printing technology, the updated prototype authentically echoes the drumsticks’ reverberating strike against the stretched goatskin, while the transmitter relays its deep, rhythmic sounds to a connected speaker.

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