The Batonga (Batonka - Ba Tonka - Batonga) had lived for centuries along the north and south bank of the Zambezi River, known locally as Gwembe. They currently live on either side of Lake Kariba. In 1960, the Kariba dam hydroelectric project was completed, creating the largest manmade lake or reservoir ever built. The Gwembe Valley was flooded and the Ba Tonka relocated by rising waters (sometimes forcibly). The lake created a physical separation. Villagers who once looked across the river at each other or went there to farm, now had to travel up to 40 kilometres across by boat. (20 miles). This division as further reinforced when the lake itself was divided into the nations of Zambia and Zimbabwe. (Prior to this the region had been a part of the British Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.)

The Ba Tonga nation had been divided by exposure to European colonial rule like no other tribe on the African continent. Half a century later, and despite the turbulence of alternating political and economic upheavals, the Ba Tonga of Zambia and Zimbabwe remain a recognizable ethnic group. A single uniting force that drove a people to bind, were their communally owned funeral drums.

Our trio of BaTonga Budima Drums - which include a rare mother drum.

Music plays a significant role in the life of the Ba Tonka community. Drumming is by far their most important musical activity. It provides a mode for personal expression and a means of communication between people, villages and the spiritual world.

The trio of drums on offer (above and further down) are funeral drums called Budima. This shape is unique to the Tonga people and as such, they are their most recognizable drum form. The center example is a rare Mother Drum, which is always the largest of a set numbering up to 20. Drums are sheltered in communal structure as below.

The reverse side of our trio of Ba Tonka Drums

Funeral drums are not only played at funerals. Gallery Ezakwantu photographed many sets that came together during a Zambian political rally in 1991. President Kaunda (waving his pathetic trademark white handkerchief) made an appearance - while villagers were trucked in with drum sets from 100 kilometres away. The good president left fifty 200 litre drums of Chibuku - a local African millet beer - which evolved into a 3 day party. We made a video on old VHS tape, which we intend to convert and add to this page! In the meantime, enjoy the next picture, as well as the uppermost and very last in this section.

Even in such an atmosphere, with maybe 500 drums present, we failed to purchase one. The reason?

Funeral drums were traditionally made from a tree that grew along the banks of the Zambezi river. The trees lived up to 300 years, but were submerged by Lake Kariba. Unable to make a replacement, people became reluctant to sell even the smallest examples. Adding to the difficulty of a purchase, the drums were not owned by individuals, but collectively by a number of villages. Invariably, one or more village elders were not to be found, which made it impossible to arrive at consensus. This matter of fact explanation - goes far to confirm that the traditions and culture of the Gwembe Ba Tonga, are intricately bound in a large part, by funeral drums.

Click thumbnails below to view larger images of our drum trio offered as a set.

Our drums were collected during the 1980's by Clive Venning. At that time, Clive was an aspiring photographer working in the area. He made numerous trips and photographically detailed the tribal peoples on both sides of the Zambezi / Lake Kariba.

 

This is the largest of the three Tonga Budima drums - known as the Mother drum. Adding to her character, the old partially painted base was covered in hide. There is also a charming tin repair on the body. This drum stands at  + - 90 cms tall and almost 60 cms wide. (+ - 35 x 24 inches) 

 

Click thumbnails above to view larger images of our drum trio offered as a set.

 

With few exceptions, men make and play Ba Tonka drums. Each drummer plays one drum. They have a single pegged hide skin and stand on a hollow pedestal, like a goblet. When the crowd moves, the drummer carries the drum with a sling over the shoulder. Visually stimulating historic theatrical productions are enacted. Other men blow funeral whistles, made of horn or wood. Women provide accompaniment by clapping their hands and shaking rattles and they are the main singers.

 

 

Ba Tonga Celebration - Zambia - Circa 1990

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Collected between 1885 and 1925 by Marion Webster

Purchased from Mary A. Webster, a relation of Henry Ardell Webster, born September 21, 1858. Henry Webster married Marion Murchie in 1887. Both traveled to Africa under the employ of the American Board of Foreign Missions. Henry died of malaria at  Benguela during his first year in Africa.

Click thumbnails to view a larger image.

This object is between 80 and 120 years old.

Marion remained a missionary in Angola for over 40 years, living at Bailundo.

Webster Hall was built in the nearby town of Dondi, Webster Hall was built.
 

Click thumbnails to view a larger image.

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An indecipherable label begins with the word "Native".
 

Mary A. Webster, presently 92 years old, (2007) recalls that she was a grade school aged girl when her aunt Marion came home on furlough. She recalls that aunt Marion held talks and showed off African items to church members and other community groups during her stay.

Marion's letters from the mission are mentioned at this Harvard University Site

http://oasis.harvard.edu:10080/oasis/deliver/~hou01805

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