ngoma, noun2
- Forms:
- Also with initial capital.
- Origin:
- Venda.
A large, single-headed drum of the Venda people, used especially in certain religious ceremonies.
- Note:
- The same word is used for drums and dances in eastern Africa, derived from general Swahili.
1931 H.A. Stayt BaVenda 316The two types of drum..are usually played by women, although anybody is allowed to play them. The large drum, ngoma, is beaten with one stick, the tone being modified by pressure of the left elbow on the tympanum.
1982 Pace Feb. 110In the distance I heard the drum. It was a deep belly-like sound one expects from the powerful Ngoma, the big one, one of the three holy drums of the Vhavenda.
A large, single-headed drum of the Venda people, used especially in certain religious ceremonies.

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