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Dunun
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<p>Dunun (Malinké: [ˈdu.nun]; plural dunun) (also spelled dundun or doundoun) is the generic name for a family of <a href="/facts/West_African/oV8Dk0kp">West African</a> drums that have developed alongside the <i><a href="/facts/Djembe/3SDWYobr">djembe</a></i> in the <a href="/facts/Mand%25C3%25A9_peoples/Brz9gvdR">Mande</a> drum ensemble. </p><p>A dunun is a rope-tuned cylindrical drum with a <a href="/facts/Rawhide_(textile)/FnB6w4c5">rawhide</a> 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 <i><a href="/facts/Tama_(percussion)/g0ovHAEk">tama</a></i>), or a straight stick with a cylindrical head attached at right angles near one end may be used to strike the skin. </p><p>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 <a href="/facts/Mali/sAaVqV1e">Mali</a> and originally from the <a href="/facts/Khassonk%25C3%25A9_people/TnMBk9zB">Khassonké people</a>. </p><p>Three different sizes of dunun are commonly played in West Africa. </p> <ul><li>The <i>dundunba</i> (also spelled <i>dununba</i>) is the largest dunun and has the lowest pitch. Typical size is 60–70 cm (24–28 in) in length and 40–50 cm (16–20 in) in diameter. "Ba" means "big" in the <a href="/facts/Mandinka_language/cyMCqfFF">Malinké language</a>, so "dundunba" literally means "big dunun".</li> <li>The <i>sangban</i> is of medium size, with higher pitch than the dundunba. Typical size is 50–60 cm (20–24 in) in length and 30–40 cm (12–16 in) in diameter.</li> <li>The <i>kenkeni</i> is the smallest dunun and has the highest pitch. Typical size is 45–50 cm (18–20 in) in length and 25–35 cm (9.8–13.8 in) in diameter.</li></ul> <p>Dunun are always played in an ensemble with one or more <a href="/facts/Djembe/3SDWYobr">djembes</a>. </p>