Ampongabe (large drum) Europe 19th century Goat, zebu or sheep skin, flexible wood, string, piece of cloth for the stick, nails. 34 x 70 cm Museum of Art and Archeology of the University of Antananarivo, Madagascar

It was introduced to Madagascar by Europeans in the 19th century and replaced its precursor, the ampongan’ny ntaolo.

It is made of two goat, zebu or sheep skin.

It uses indirect, nailed or laced fasteners and large bridges to stretch the skins.

The drum is played by striking the two skins with a pair of sticks. Alternatively, the fingers of one hand can strike one side while the other hand hits the skins with a stick.

In the highlands of Madagascar, the large drum is played especially by popular artistic groups called the mpihira gasy or the mpilalao. It is played in the open air and is often accompanied by the maintikely (clarinet), the sodina (flute) and the lokanga (viol).

Large drums seem to have developed before smaller ones. The large drum is played by setting it on the ground or carrying it suspended around the neck.

The inseparable companion of the large drum is the smaller langoroana. Women and young men may play the langoroana but only men can play the ampongabe.