Bote Drum

A bowl-shaped drum, commonly know as a bote. It has a wooden circular base, with hide stretched over the top, held in place by hide thongs. The bote has two handles. Bote drums are commonly associated with Susu musicians, though are found across Sierra Leone. This example is described in the British Museum records, as a circumcision drum

Further Information

• Type: Musical instruments
• Object: Bote Drum
• Materials: Wood, Vegetable, organic fibre, Leather, animal skin
• Culture Group: Mende
• Dimensions: 380mm [H] x 450mm [D]
• Production Date: Pre 1938
• Associated Places: Tasso;Bum Kittam
• Associated People: J. E. Wills
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1938.216.3

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