 The
Boucarabou (alternative spelling bougarabou) is a set of 3 to
4 drums commonly used in Gambia as well as the rest of West Africa.
The drums are single headed with
an elongated goblet shape, usually placed on a single stand and
the end is covered in
cow hide.
Traditionally only one Boucarabou was played at a time,
but in more modern times, possibly influenced by modern western
music, players now perform on multiple drum configurations.
The drum is originally from the Jola people
in Casamance, Senegal as well as the Gambia, and is normally played
solo, by a single drummer. The drummer also wears a series of
metal bracelets that contribute to the sound, and the dancers
often clap and sing with the music, but it is unique in that a
single drummer traditionally provides the drumming. One of the
most eminent performers of this instrument is Saikouba Badjie.
They are normally played with only the hands in a standing position.
They have a full, deep, rich sound which can be heard for miles
and is effective at all dynamic levels. They produce a kind of
bass melody in the total rhythm. In other modern drumming configurations,
they are often used to back up the djembe and tama in a percussion
group.
An excerpt is available below:
http://rhythmweb.com/real/Saikouba01.ram
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Culture & Traditions Music Traditional Modern
Senegambian Music 
