Khassonka Dunun: Musique Traditionelle Du Mali (1997)

The dunun is the generic name for a family of West African drums that have developed alongside the djembe in the Mande drum ensemble. It is a rope-tuned cylindrical drum with a rawhide skin at both ends, most commonly cow or goat. The drum is played with a stick. Depending on the region, a plain straight stick, curved stick with flat head (similar to the stick used for a tama), or a straight stick with a cylindrical head attached at right angles near one end may be used to strike the skin. Traditionally, the drum is played horizontally (placed on a stand or worn with a shoulder strap). For a right-handed player, the right hand plays the skin and the left hand optionally plays a bell that may be mounted on top of the drum or held in the left hand. The latter style is popular in Mali and originally from the Khassonké people. The Recordings were made one August evening in 1996 in the small village of Dyalla, a few kilometres from Kayes. (Wiki & Booklet)