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Ilu (drum)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ilu
A set of 3 different sized Ilús
Percussion instrument
Other names
  • Ilú
  • Ilu
Classification Percussion
Hornbostel–Sachs classification211.212
(Directly struck membranophone with two usable membranes)

An Ilú or Ilu is the Yoruba name for a type of Brazilian wooden folk drum, found characteristically in the northern provinces of Pernambuco and Ceará.[citation needed]

It has a cylindrical shape with skins at the top and bottom and is normally played with hands.[1] It is mostly used in religious rituals, coming usually in three sizes, curved or flat-shaped. This make these drums sound slightly different from each other, and to allow performers to play on a standing position. They are built on a cross-shaped base.[2]

The same term was earlier used for double-headed barrel-shaped drums, a similar drum from southern Brazil is known as a Tambu.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ ""Iya Ilu ("Mother drum" or Talking drum)"". collections.ed.ac.uk. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  2. ^ Stanley Sadie, The New Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments Macmillan, 198. 4"Ilu"vol.2, p. 284
  3. ^ Gerard Béhague. "Brazil." Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press. 9 Sep 2013.