The dawuro is a double metal bell used by the Ashanti. It has two different pitches in an interval of an octave usually, but sometimes also a ninth. The instrument is played with a hard wooden stick or a metal rod, which are used to strike one of the bells. This produces a clear sound with a long echo. Sometimes a pattern is played alternately on the two bells such as in the adowa dance. The sound of the dawuro creates an extra dimension within the musical context and adds colour and dynamic to the music. Sometimes it also fulfils the role of signal instrument and brings the dance to a climax.
© RMCA/Dominik PHYFFEROEN