Slit Drum
/ˈslɪt drʌm/noun
A percussion instrument made from a hollow log or box with one or more slits cut into its surface.
Did you know?Slit drums, including West African talking drums and Pacific log drums, have been used for long-distance signaling, ceremonies, and communication across forests and villages.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sleydh-
“To split, cut, or separate; the proposed ancient root behind slit and related Germanic words.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*slītaną
“To split or cut apart.”
Old English
Old English
slītan
“To split, tear, or cut.”
Middle English
Middle English
slit
“A narrow cut or opening; later also the act of cutting.”
Middle English
Middle English
drom / tromme
“A percussion instrument or drum; drum entered English through Germanic and likely imitative forms.”
Modern English
English
slit drum
“A compound term for a hollow wooden percussion instrument sounded by striking the wood beside its cut opening.”