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How far can talking-drum messages be transmitted in the Bend region of West Africa?
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African music
Man playing traditional mangolongondo instrument, Malawi.
In the region of western Africa known as the Bend, talking drums are used to transmit messages up to 20 miles (32 km). Once a message reaches this distance, it is typically relayed by another drummer to continue spreading information across the region.12
These instruments are effective because they mimic the rhythm and the rise and fall of tone languages, allowing drummers to convey the pitch, accent, and number of syllables.21