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Udu in the Ibo language of Nigeria means both pottery and peace. Essentially a clay pot drum modeled after a Nigerian side hole pot drum. It is made up entirely of clay, traditionally it would have been hand made by using coils to build the pot or with hand building and not necessarily wheel thrown pottery. The basic technique of playing the udu incorporates drumming on the side hole with the flat palm of the hand while selectively opening and closing the top hole to modulate the air chamber resonance with the other hand.
The clay body of the vessel produces a high pinging sound when struck with the fingers. |
The
Udu Drum
The
origins of this instrument can be traced to central and southern
Nigeria. It is most likely the invention of some ancient village
potter who struck a hole in the side of a traditional clay water
vessel and discovered the resonating sound that could be produced.
Some believe the deep haunting sound particular to the drum is the
"voice of the ancestors "when used in religious ceremonies.
