tambã

Tambã is a percussion instrument used in some Portuguese-speaking cultures in Africa and the Americas. It refers to a handheld drum that forms part of Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Atlantic musical traditions. The drum is typically a wooden shell with a single animal-skin head stretched over one end (regional variants may differ). It is played with the hands, though sticks or mallets may be used to produce different timbres. The instrument provides mid-to-deep tones and is often used to keep rhythm within ensembles, from ceremonial settings to street performances.

Regional use and context vary. In Brazil, tambãs are associated with Afro-Brazilian communities and may appear in ritual music linked to Candomblé, as well as in batucada and other percussion ensembles. Similar drums appear in other Lusophone contexts, with local names and playing styles that reflect regional traditions. The exact origin and naming of tambã are not uniformly defined and likely reflect a blend of Portuguese influence and West African musical heritage; etymology is uncertain and may differ by community.

Construction and variations: Tambãs can come in several sizes, ranging from smaller hand drums to larger barrel-shaped instruments. Materials and decorative motifs differ by region. Tensioning mechanisms, when present, affect pitch and timbre, enabling a range of rhythmic textures within groups.

See also: tambor, Afro-Brazilian music, batucada, capoeira, Candomblé.