Welcome to

Yoruba heritage - Drum Voices

A Suns of mercury partnership with

the Yoruba Heritage and Cultural Association of Victoria

and the melbourne Social equity Institute

Here we explore the communication of messages SKILFULLY embedded in Yoruba drums. This art was transplanted from Nigeria to Cuba during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. In both countries the voices of the drum open windows into Yoruba worldviews.

open the interactive experience to explore Talking drums, tribal face marks, beadwork, and other features of yoruba culture

Scroll around the 360 photos. Trigger the video and information icons in each scene.

Oluko Kayode demonstrates the “gangan” talking drum

Mr. Kayode Jolayemi is a master of the Yoruba gangan drum. The “kaabo” rhythm encodes a proverb to welcome guests to events and ceremonies

Drum voices at the gippsland drum and food festival

Thanks to Mayor Kellie O'Callaghan and the Melbourne Social Equity Institute for helping the drums to talk.

Open the Yoruba Heritage interactive site (above) to see and hear the talking drums

Drum Voices celebrates a Yoruba wedding

The gangan and the Cuban batá drums come together to celebrate

Community forum at the university of Melbourne

A celebration of West African philosophies, beadwork, diasporas, and drums. Click here for more info.

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Oshún proverb: cheke-cheke

This proverb speaks of the brass bracelets and sword of the water goddess Oshún

Dialogue between the Cuban batá drums

Rodolfo “Panga” Hechavarría explains how the batá drums communicate like a family