An Ethnographic Study of Talking Drum Communication Among the Yoruba in Ekiti State

This study presents an ethnographic investigation of talking drum communication practices among the Yoruba people of Ekiti State, South West Nigeria. The talking drum, known as dundun, is a sophisticated musical instrument capable of reproducing the tonal patterns of the Yoruba language, enabling drummers to transmit complex messages to informed audiences. This research documents current talking drum communication practices, identifies the repertoire of messages, and assesses the demographic profile of practitioners and audiences who understand drum language in selected Ekiti communities. An ethnographic fieldwork approach is adopted, involving extended participant observation at cultural events, drumming sessions, and community gatherings in Ado-Ekiti and Ikole local government areas. In-depth interviews are conducted with master drummers, their apprentices, and community members. The study examines how drum language intersects with Yoruba oral literature, poetry, and praise traditions and investigates whether younger generations maintain communicative competence in interpreting talking drum messages. Recent ethnomusicological and linguistic anthropology studies on African musical communication inform the analytical framework. Findings will document an endangered communicative tradition and propose strategies for its revitalisation through music education and community programming. Keywords: Talking drum, Yoruba communication, Ekiti State, dundun, ethnomusicology.