Drums of Uganda
with Peter Kasule

Engalabi

A lead drum, the Engalabi is made out of monitor lizard skin with a long piece of hollowed out tree.

It is mainly used in the central and the eastern part of Uganda. Its job is equivalent to the Djembe. It syncopates the partterns, harmonizes, and accents the movements of the dancers.

The person who plays this drum must be a quick thinker and have the ability to think at least four phrases ahead of every one else. The drum comes in and out on unexpected beats. He
listens to the softest area and plays a phrase to not only echo the ensemble but also leads them in the next pattern known as Ekisoko.