(1) Onomatopoeic and generic name for various forms of large, double-headed frame drums (see Drum, §I, 2(vi)) of Spain, Portugal and South America. Two main types of construction are common: (a) large diameter heads (e.g. 50–70 cm) and a relatively shallow body, such as the military or orchestral bass drum, where the skins are secured and tensioned using cords connected to wooden hoops (see illustration), and a long cylindrical body (e.g. 50–70 cm) and (b) small diameter heads, such as the Argentine bombo of Pan-Andean urban folklore ensembles, with or without cords and hoops for tensioning the skins.
Both large diameter and cylindrical forms are found in Argentina, the former referred to as bombo chato and the latter as bombo tubular. A further conical shaped instrument, of probable African origin, is also played in Argentina for the dance form candombe. Unlike other forms of bombo, which are usually played standing, walking or seated (see illustration), the player sits astride the instrument which he plays with his hands or two small sticks. Bombo playing techniques vary widely and hard sticks or soft headed beaters may be used (sometimes in combination with a hand) to strike various parts of the skin or shell. For example, in the Colombian song and dance form cumbia the single head of a large diameter instrument is played with two sticks, while in other traditions from the coast, both heads and the shell of a cylindrical or barrel-shaped drum are sounded. In the high, Bolivian Andes, where both large diameter and cylindrical forms of bombo are used to accompany wind ensembles, a large soft-headed beater is typically used to sound a single head.
(2) The bombo gulu or gulu is a double-headed bass drum of the Tonga people of the Inhambane region of Mozambique. The name of the drum and its form are of Portuguese derivation, and it is played to accompany dance.
HENRY STOBART