US Hawaiian Membranophone (Drum): "Ipu Heke Ole"
Collection: Spiritual Connections
Object Category: Music and Noisemakers
Object Type: Musical Instruments, Percussive Instruments
Country: USA
Continent: North America
Geographic Region: Northern America
Materials: Gourd
width: 9 in;
height: 13 in;
depth: 8 in
This is a US Hawaiian drum called "ipu heke 'ole."
The drum is made from a gourd, a fruit that grows on vines and matures into unique shapes.
Ipu drums may be either single gourds like this one, or double gourds attached at their necks, the ipu heke, with a hole carved in the top gourd to allow the sound to escape.
Ipu drums are used to accompany performers dancing the hula, the traditional dance of the Hawaiian Islands.
Source:
http://www.hulapreservation.org/implement.asp?ID=13