African Circumcision Drum from the Early 1900

This drum was used during circumcision rites in the Central African Republic. The drum has been hollowed out from a single piece of wood and you can see carving marks on the back of the drum. The drum skin is made of animal hide and is held in place by braided plant fibers or thin rope. A note on the drum reads “Circumcision Drum … I led the man who played it to Christ & He gave it to me”, so the drum was a gift to the Baptist minister for missionary work he did in the country. The drum skin has holes in it and measures 7 1/2 in. in diameter, and the drum itself is 23 3/4 in. high. From the Dale Baker collection.