West African talking drum, used to imitate the tone and rhythm of human speech and relay messages over long distances. The body of this drum is made from a single piece of wood which has been carved into an hourglass shape and hollowed out. Animal hide has been stretched over each end of the hourglass-shaped body, creating two drum heads (although only one would have been played). A thick ring of black leather has been stitched around each drum head, thick cords made from white leather have been strung between the two leather rings and tied tight, partially obscuring the body of the drum, these cords serve the dual purpose of holding the drum heads tight and changing the tone of the drum when squeezed, allowing it to "talk". Around the drum there are two decorative wraps made from hide and a green, blue, purple, and white patterned fabric, these wraps are held on by black leather cords which are knotted through holes on either side of the hide; on these wraps there are three brass bells, two on one panel, one on the other, although loose leather threads and holes in the hide suggest there was likely more at one point. There is a wide leather strap attached by leather strips to the top and bottom of the drum, on this strap is a strip of green, purple, and gold striped metallic fabric.