A Dan slit-drum, Liberia, with a female head on top, natural brownish patina, several age cracks, signs of age and ritual use. Certificate of providence.

"A figurative ceremonial slit drum of the Dan People. It is rare to find slit drums such as this from the Dan people. .... The Dan are known for their music and dancing as well as for the artistry and variety of their masks. Traditional Dan society was acephalous, that is, its political organization was not centralized. Leadership was vested in a council of elders. Masks, serving as agents of social control, enforced the council’s rules and orders. Dan sculptors mainly produce masks which deal with virtually every element in Dan society, including education, competition, war, peace, social regulation, and of course, entertainment. They also produce stylized wooden spoons and intricate game boards used for mancala, a common game of “count and capture.” Music permeates almost every aspect of African tribal life. Important simply as entertainment it is also an integral part of many ceremonies and rituals, particularly those connected with birth, initiation, marriage, and death." Source: WORLD MUSIC, LLC. The Hartenberger World Music Collection of Historical Instruments.

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Height: 54 cm
Weight: 1,3 kg