Fontomfrom
Fontomfrom is a Bono type of hourglass-shaped drum mostly used in a royal music ensemble of the Bono people to relay Bono monarchy messages within the Bono people's ethnic group setting. The Fontomfrom ensemble provides music for ceremonies honoring Bono chiefs and Bono monarchy royal processions. The Fontomfrom is also used to recite proverbs or replicate patterns of speech at most Bono monarchy royal gatherings or a Bono monarchy royal durbar.
Fontomfrom
User:FA2010 · Public domain
- Name
- Fontomfrom
- Field
- musical instrument
- Region
- Ghana
- Related practice
- wood · hide
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Documentary summary
Fontomfrom is a Bono type of hourglass-shaped drum mostly used in a royal music ensemble of the Bono people to relay Bono monarchy messages within the Bono people's ethnic group setting. The Fontomfrom ensemble provides music for ceremonies honoring Bono chiefs and Bono monarchy royal processions. The Fontomfrom is also used to recite proverbs or replicate patterns of speech at most Bono monarchy royal gatherings or a Bono monarchy royal durbar.
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wikidata · Q20854933 · wikipedia · Fontomfrom
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Fontomfrom • Classification — Hourglass-Shaped Drum • Inventors — Bono people • Builders — Bono people
Gallery
Gallery
• Illustration — At a funeral • Illustration — At a funeral • Illustration — FONTOMFROM BOMMA (MALE) • Illustration — FONTOMFROM BOMMA (FEMALE) • Illustration — Side view
History
History
The Fontomfrom evolved from the popular hourglass-shaped drum (talking drum) of the 7th century. Shortly after the evolution, a few more non-hourglass shapes, such as the Dunan, Sangban, Kenkeni, and Ngoma drums were produced. Prior to the Fontomfrom becoming part of the Bono royal music ensemble as it is today, it was first introduced into Bonoman by Bonohene Akumfi Ameyaw I and Bonohemaa Owusuaa Abrafi circa 1320s, from North Africa. As they love dancing and music, the Bono people introduced this drum to entertain themselves. Since its inception and use, the single, large Fontomfrom drum has grown to become an ensemble of several drums, and given its formidable size (up to 2 meters in height or more), its image can be used to symbolise the grandeur of traditional African cultures.
The fontomfrom, a large, talking drum of the Akan people in Ghana, originated within the Bono kingdom, specifically in the area of present-day Techiman. It evolved from the popular hourglass-shaped talking drum of the 7th century.
Kwaku Berko
The fontomfrom, a large, talking drum of the Akan people in Ghana, originated within the Bono kingdom, specifically in the area of present-day Techiman. It evolved from the popular hourglass-shaped talking drum of the 7th century.
Kwaku Berko
Places
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Places
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Ghana
Country
Fontomfrom is associated with Ghana.
Country
Primary material
Digitised editions and texts
FonTomFrom (2000) — Open Library
The oath of the Fontomfrom (1971) — Open Library
The oath of the Fontomfrom: and other poems — Open Library
Literature
Scholarly footprint
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Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Djembe Direct. ASHANTI FONTOMFROM DRUM ENSEMBLE SET. djembedirect.com.
- 2.Faber & Faber. The Akan of Ghana: Their Ancient Beliefs. 1958.
- 3.Make drums. The History of the Drum – Early History. makedrums.com. 18 October 2011.
- 4.Kaminski, Joseph S. Sound Barrage: Threshold to Asante Sacred Experience through Music. International Review of the Aesthetics and Sociology of Music. 45. 2. 345–371. 2014-12-01. 0351-5796.
References
Citations
References
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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