{{Short description|Musical instrument of the Igbo of Nigeria}} {{Other uses|Udu (disambiguation)}} thumb|Udu Music {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}} thumb|An band percussion pot thumb|Sound of plastic, or fiberglass Udu The ''kim-kim'' or '''Udu'''{{IPAc-en|audio=LL-Q33578_(ibo)-Celetex-Udu.wav}} is a plosive aerophone (in this case implosive) and an idiophone of the Igbo of Nigeria. In the Igbo language, ''ùdù'' means 'vessel' or 'pot'.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |date=1999-10-01 |title=Rhythm & beauty:jazz |journal=Choice Reviews Online |volume=37 |issue=2 |pages=37–0844-37-0844 |doi=10.5860/choice.37-0844 |doi-broken-date=1 July 2025 |issn=0009-4978}}</ref> This is a hand percussion instrument and it is one of the most important instruments in Igbo music.
== About == Early Udu drums were simply water jugs with an additional hole and were played by Igbo women for ceremonial purposes.<ref>{{cite book |last=Nzewi |first=Meki |year=1991 |title=Musical Practice and Creativity: An African Traditional Perspective |publisher=University of Bayreuth |page=68}}</ref> Legend says that the Udu drum was made accidentally because a punched hole was on the side, making it useless. Instead of throwing it away, the owner started to drum it.<ref name=":1" />
== Construction == Usually, the Udu is made of clay. Sometimes, the ashes of relatives are used to make them too,<ref name=":0" /> but it also can be made out of plastic or glass. Today it is widely used by percussionists in many different music styles.
== Playing technique == The Udu is played in two primary ways: it is either placed on the lap or secured to a stand using duct tape.<ref name=":1">{{Citation |title=Drums for winding wires and strips for electrical purposes for use in the United Kingdom |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.3403/30307817 |access-date=2024-04-03 |publisher=BSI British Standards|doi=10.3403/30307817 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> The player produces a bass sound by quickly striking the larger hole.<ref name="Schlagwerk percussion website">{{cite web |title=Schlagwerk percussion website |url=http://www.schlagwerk.de/produkte/udu-drums/udu-classics/bass-udur-das-original/ |publisher=Schlagwerk |access-date=2 August 2012 |archive-date=7 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407144005/http://www.schlagwerk.de/produkte/udu-drums/udu-classics/bass-udur-das-original |url-status=dead }}</ref> Various pitches can be achieved by adjusting the hand position over the smaller upper hole. Additionally, the body of the instrument can be played using the fingers, creating a diverse range of sounds.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harper |first=R. I. |date=2025-09-14 |title=Udu Drum Guide: Origins, Playing Styles, and Modern Uses |url=https://rareinstrument.com/udu/ |access-date=2025-10-18 |website=RareInstrument.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Udu makers ==
* Clive Sithole<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=On Family and Reflection: Clive Sithole at Mid Career |url=https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/ceramics-monthly/ceramics-monthly-article/On-Family-and-Reflection-Clive-Sithole-at-Mid-Career-213741 |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=Default |language=en}}</ref> * Eugene Skeef<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2016-11-02 |title=Sound Futures: Exploring Contexts for Music Sustainability. {{!}} Loud Mouth - The Music Trust Ezine |url=https://musictrust.com.au/loudmouth/the-world-of-music-new-series-vol-4-2015-1-sound-futures-exploring-contexts-for-music-sustainability/ |access-date=2024-04-09 |language=en-AU}}</ref> {{Unreferenced section|date=April 2020}} thumb|right|Udus
==See also== *Botija *Ghatam *Ipu *Gagar
== References == {{Reflist}}{{Authority control}}
Category:African percussion instruments Category:Igbo musical instruments Category:Nigerian musical instruments Category:Plosive aerophones Category:Struck idiophones played by hand