| Bongo drums, usually just called bongos, are one of the | | | | Originally, in the late 19th century, the heads of bongo |
| most recognizable of percussion instruments. Due to | | | | drums were tacked on and tuned with a heat source. |
| the pervasive popularity of Latin music (thank you, | | | | But since the 1940s, metal tuning lugs have been used |
| "Dancing With the Stars"), the sounds of these little | | | | to allow for easier tuning. |
| drums are familiar to people around the world. Bongos, | | | | The sound of the bongo drums is high-pitched and as |
| as the name implies, always come in attached sets of | | | | mentioned, the tempo is generally fast. When played, |
| two. One drum is slightly bigger than the other; the | | | | the drums should be held between the player's knees; |
| larger is the "hembra" (the Spanish word for "female), | | | | the larger drum should be on the side of the player's |
| while the smaller is the "macho" (the Spanish word for | | | | dominant hand, which is usually the right one. The drum |
| "male"). Bongo drums are capable of a great deal of | | | | heads are struck with both the fingers, palms, and |
| versatility and their music is usually upbeat and rapid. | | | | sometimes sticks and brushes, although these last are |
| Like some other drums of the Americas, such as the | | | | contemporary innovations. The sound of the bongo |
| steel drum, bongo drums were originally brought to | | | | drum can be muted by placing part of one hand on the |
| South America from Africa via the Atlantic slave | | | | drum head while striking with the other hand. |
| trade. The African nations of Nigeria and Cameroon | | | | Some of the most famous dance styles of Latin |
| had fraternal organizations that utilized a trio of drums | | | | America, including the mambo, salsa and conga, utilize |
| called "bonko." When the Africans were brought to the | | | | the music of the bongo drum. The instrument's |
| Americas, vestiges of these organizations and their | | | | capacity for distinct percussion is essential to these |
| traditions came with them. The Abakua is a society of | | | | styles, which showcase distinct and often rapid |
| Afro-Cuban men that evolved from those fraternal | | | | rhythms. In fact, the music of the bongos is often used |
| organizations. It continued to use the bonko drums, but | | | | as a solo instrument in such music, a tactic that |
| the instruments eventually spread beyond the | | | | highlights the importance of a song's rhythm. |
| fraternity. It is believed that this was the origin of the | | | | On a side note, although bongo drums are generally |
| bongo in South America. The Abakua still exists in | | | | considered instruments of Latin America, drums |
| modern Cuba and it still uses bonkos that, if joined | | | | resembling bongos can be found in Morocco, Egypt |
| together in pairs, very closely resemble bongo drums. | | | | and some Middle Eastern countries. These drums |
| The bodies of bongo drums are usually made of | | | | have rawhide heads like their American counterparts, |
| wood, metal or composite materials attached by a | | | | but the bodies are of a ceramic nature. Such drums |
| thick piece of wood. The head is traditionally of animal | | | | can also be heard in some traditional Spanish music, |
| skin, but as with other modern drums, synthetic | | | | such as flamenco, probably due to the Moorish |
| materials are commonly used in modern times. | | | | influence in that country. |