What Is a Conga?
A conga is a type of drum used commonly in Latin music. Congas are single headed, narrow-barreled drums usually played in pairs.
Other People Are Reading
-
History
-
Congas are Cuban drums. They are thought to be based on Sikulu drums that originate in Africa, commonly in Mbanza Ngungu, Congo.
Significance
-
Outside of traditional Cuban music, congas are featured heavily in rumba, mambo, salsa, merengue, reggaeton and Afro-Carribean music. Congas have also been featured in samba, bossa nova, reggae, and funk music as well. Santeria and Abakua religious rituals include congas being played in very complex rhythms.
-
Features
-
Modern congas usually have a staved wooden or fiberglass shell. They are played with the fingers and palms of the hand. Typically congas are 75 cm from the bottom of the shell to the head.
Fun Fact
-
Conga players are called congueros.
Famous Ties
-
Desi Arnaz from the television show "I Love Lucy" helped make the congas identifiable to a large U.S. audience.
-
