The "sogo" is a barrel drum of the Anlo Ewe people usually played with two
hands, one hand and one stick, and occasionally, two sticks. It is a little over
two feet tall, closed at the bottom and covered with goatskin on one end. The
sogo is usually a supporting drum and responds in question and answer dialogue
to the lead drum, atsimewu. When instructed to take over as lead, the sogo conducts
the entire drum and dance ensemble in rhythmical, tonal and dance dialogues. Not
seen in the picture, the "kidi", 1.5 feet tall, is also a supporting barrel drum
with the same proportions as the sogo.
The WORLD BEATS video features live,
costumed performances of ancient, ethnic, percussive traditions. Aaron Plunkett
puts it all together in this fascinating 33 minute program. SEE
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