To many people African drums are simply musical instruments, but did you know that they serve for many other things, especially in Africa? They are of course primarily for music, but one other purpose that they serve is as a gift of honor. If a girl is getting married and the 2 families have sealed the deal, the groom’s family can present a drum to the bride’s father as a thank you gift for letting them have his daughter.
They are also signs of wealth and prestige, and even today, in many African functions that are attended by the rich and powerful, you will see a drum offered as a gift. They are a sign of respect.
Here’s a little anecdote that you can pass on: traditionally in Africa, if a wife shamed a husband because she had not been taught how to cook by her mother, then her husband had the right to take her back for cooking lessons carrying a certain kind of drum on his shoulder. They, of course would be spotted by all and sundry as they walked, and the mother of the girl would be the laughing stock of the village. This left all mothers ready to do whatever it took to help their daughters be good cooks!
