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Bongo drums, commonly known simply as bongos, are among the most recognizable percussion instruments. The popularity of Latin music (thanks to shows like “Dancing With the Stars”) has made the sound of these small drums familiar to people worldwide. Bongos always come in connected sets of two, with one drum slightly larger than the other. The larger drum is called the “hembra” (the Spanish word for “female”), while the smaller one is the “macho” (the Spanish word for “male”). Bongo drums offer considerable flexibility, and their music is typically upbeat and fast-paced.
Similar to other drums of the Americas, such as the steel drum, bongo drums were initially brought to South America from Africa via the Atlantic slave trade. The African countries of Nigeria and Cameroon had fraternal organizations that used a trio of drums called “bonko.” When Africans were brought to the Americas, remnants of these organizations and their traditions came with them. The Abakua is a society of Afro-Cuban men that evolved from these fraternal organizations. It continued to use the bonko drums, but the instruments eventually spread beyond the fraternity. This is believed to be the origin of the bongo in South America. The Abakua still exists in modern Cuba and continues to use bonkos that, when paired, closely resemble bongo drums.
Bongo drums have bodies made of wood, metal, or composite materials connected by a thick piece of wood. The head is traditionally made of animal skin, but like other contemporary drums, synthetic materials are common in modern times. In the late 19th century, bongo drum heads were tacked on and tuned with a heat source. However, since the 1940s, metal tuning lugs have been used for easier tuning.
The sound of bongo drums is high-pitched, and as mentioned, the tempo is typically fast. When played, the drums should be held between the player’s knees, with the larger drum on the side of the player’s dominant hand, usually the right. The drum heads are struck with fingers, palms, and occasionally sticks and brushes, although these are modern innovations. The sound of the bongo drum is muted by placing part of one hand on the drum head while striking with the other hand.
Some of the most prominent Latin American dance styles The Art of Ballet Dancing - The art of ballet dancing is inspiring for everyone. Some dance enthusiasts enjoy watching entertaining dance shows, while others dive into learning the art itself. The world of dance offers various options, such as hip-hop, boogie, jazz, break dancing, ballet, salsa, and tap dancing, catering to different tastes across cultures, including the UK. If someone… , including mambo, salsa, and conga, feature the music of bongo drums. The instrument’s ability to produce distinct percussion is essential to these styles, which showcase unique and often rapid rhythms. In fact, bongo music is often used as a solo instrument in these genres, emphasizing the importance of the song’s rhythm.
As a side note, although bongo drums are considered Latin American instruments, drums resembling bongos can be found in Morocco, Egypt, and some Middle Eastern countries. These drums have rawhide heads like their American counterparts, but their bodies are made of ceramic material. Such drums can also be heard in some traditional Spanish music, such as flamenco, possibly due to the Moorish influence in that country.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME
