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The adavatram, meaning ‘madness has overtaken me,’ is no ordinary drum. It is adorned with seven human skulls and played using human elbow bones. This war drum is deeply rooted in Ewe history, particularly among the Ewedome.
Traditionally, the adavatram was used in war, but with peace prevailing, it is now reserved for special occasions like the funerals of chiefs and warlords. Its music is so powerful that only chiefs, elders, great warriors, or those possessed by ancestral spirits are allowed to dance to it.
The drum is played only seven times, usually at midnight, and strangers are cautioned to stay away from the proceedings. The adavatram stands as a powerful symbol of the Ewe culture’s rich and intricate history.
Peoplesmind
