What Country Did the Conga Drum Originate In?
The conga drum is a percussion instrument popular throughout the world. There is conflicting evidence as to the origins of the design, although most researchers believe it comes from an African design modified in Cuba.
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History
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Modern use of the conga drum started during the 1950s in Latin America and the Caribbean, most notably Cuba. The name is derived from a type of rhythm known as "La Conga."
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Features
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According to music historian Nolan Warden, traditional use of the conga drum stems primarily from those drums and rhythms played during Carnaval, a celebration much like Brazil's Carnaval and New Orleans' Mardi Gras.
Significance
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While the conga drum is used in a variety of countries, it is believed that a version of the instrument most likely originated in Africa. Most likely, its design was brought to Cuba and Latin America by the slave trade.
Size
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The size and design of the conga drum depends on the country of origin. Most range from nine to 14 inches across the drumhead, although larger and smaller versions exist throughout Africa and Latin America.
Considerations
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In Africa, most congas are made from hollowed logs. However, Cuban versions generally derive from a modified barrel. Factory-made congas, constructed all over the world, usually use wood or fiberglass for the body.
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Resources
- Photo Credit "DSC_0070" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: RyanWelshPhotography.com (Ryan Welsh) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
