The gungon nu is a double-headed cylindrical snare drum made from a single piece of hardwood. It is a bass drum that belongs to the closed drum family and is about 50 cm in length and 30-35 cm in diameter. The drum is hung over the shoulder by means of a strap and is held next to the body at knee height. It is struck with a drumstick held in the right hand and the sounds produced are damped with the fingertips of the left hand. The drum has a fairly heavy sound and plays repetitive ostinato figures, with the second half of the rhythmic pattern usually being syncopated. Its deep timbre gives an extra dimension to the music.
This drum is the perfect accompaniment to dances such as the nagila and is also used to accompany both men's and women's songs. The gungon nu is related to the gungon bla of the Dagomba, the gingana of the Mamprusi and the dunung of the Sissala.
© RMCA/Dominik PHYFFEROEN