Bomba Drum

20th century

This drum shares its name with a musical genre, dance, and poetry; all are known as bomba, which means drum. The handmade drum voices the rhythms of afrochoteños, or Ecuadoreans of African descent living in Valle del Chota, the valley where the Chota and Mira rivers converge. Bomba del chota is the full name of the musical style and its signature dance. The drum’s construction reflects its rural roots—literally. Local vines, goat hide, and balsa wood traditionally comprise the drum. Metal wire and rope in various hues and widths add support to the vines, hide, and wood used to make this bomba. Written by hand on the drum’s head is a local musical group’s name and location, Grupo Gara Chimeo, and Chota, respectively. A player typically holds the bomba between the knees while patting the drum with the palms of the hands.