Dundun Drums. In his book on Yoruba drumming, Akin Euba explains that dundun drums mimic human speech, specifically Oyo or standard Yoruba dialect, thereby making the speech of the drums comprehensible to all Yoruba. Thus, the drums communicate proverbs, poetry, satire, and social commentary through actual words, not as code. Presenting a compelling argument for dating the beginning of the Yoruba dundun tradition to around the fourteenth century, Euba explains that memorized drum texts form a cumulative body of knowledge that serves as source materials for other literary forms and performance arts. Dundun drummers are particularly adept at speaking in proverbs that are relevant to particular contexts. In fact, as Euba points out, drum proverbs are used to elicit audience participation.

Akan Horns. Also known for their "talking drums," the Akan use ceremonial horns, Mmintia, to communicate in a language understood by Akan...