Tama Player [Indigo Series]
16 x 14” Digital Print on archival paper
Signed & Numbered Limited Edition Print of 20
©2010 Djibril N’Doye
Tama is the smallest African drum. It is played with one stick curved at the end, which has a head surface that is carved flat. The drum has heads of skin on both ends, which are connected to each other by either cotton or nylon cords running the length of the drum. When these cords are squeezed while the drummer is playing, the pitch changes, therefore the drummer can play a wide range of notes. Only one end of the drum is played at a time.
Because of its light weight, the player has more mobility, and most of the tama players are good choreographers.
I always like to study the communication between the human body, the motion, and the constant change of the patterns on clothing. Motion brings life to the subject. Motion is what keeps the moving subject from looking like a statue. What our eye, a still or a video camera cannot capture, only the spirit can on a deep level.