Rare 1967 footage has shown how traditional drums in Ghana were once used to communicate messages over short and long distances.

The footage shared by Ghana Facts and History on X on September 17, 2026, which explains the communication system among the Ashantis, shows that drums were not only used for music but also to speak to people through different sounds and rhythms.

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It explains that many African languages use high and low sounds, making it possible to reproduce some messages with drums.

For instance, the Ashanti greeting “Maakye”, which translates to Good Morning, can be played on a drum that produces both high and low sounds.

The footage also demonstrated how a drummer could use a small drum to send messages over short distances.

The pitch of the drum could be changed by pressing it while playing.

The drummer further demonstrated a message warning villagers that a lion was near the village, followed by a signal telling them to run.

The footage noted that in earlier times, when lions were found in many parts of Ghana, children would run and hide when they heard such warnings.

For longer distances, larger drums were used. Since the pitch of those drums could not be changed, more than one drum was played to produce the required high and low sounds.

According to the footage, messages could be passed from one group of drummers to another several miles away until they reached people in distant locations.

The drums were also used to perform traditional poetry. Large groups of people would gather to listen to poems that were played on drums instead of being spoken.

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One of the poems featured in the footage is a centuries-old Ashanti poem called The Path and the River. It tells the story of a path and a river and asks which of the two came first.

The footage saw the presentation of the entire poem through the drum performance, showing how traditional Ghanaian drumming was used not only for entertainment but also as a way of preserving and passing on messages and poetry.

Watch the video below:

Rare 1967 footage showing how traditional drums in Ghana were used to send messages over short and long distances, and even perform traditional poetry. pic.twitter.com/ovSWLy6Nem

— GHANA FACTS & HISTORY (@GhanaianMuseum) September 17, 2026