Photo of the Day


Talking Drum

August 12, 2019

By Jacqueline Tobin

Photo © Kirth Bobb

The joyous couple shown here is celebrating their union in the tradition of the Yoruba people of Nigeria—with a talking drum.

“Sonically, talking drums produce a sound that mimics the human voice,” explains Washington, D.C.-based wedding and portrait photographer Kirth Bobb. “These traditional musical instruments have been used as a means of entertainment and communication in Yoruba culture for centuries.”

In fact, the talking drum is widely considered to be one of the oldest instruments in West Africa and can be traced back to the Ghana Empire. They were used to preserve the oral tradition and history of their villages and families.

The couple’s traditional dress was another important part of the day that Bobb made sure to feature uniquely.

(Shot with natural light using a Nikon D750 at f/4.5, 1/200 sec. and ISO 160.) 

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