Gender Roles
In many African cultures, it is a taboo for women to be seen at or actively part of ceremonies that needed drumming. Many cultural events and sacrifices did not allow women and girls to partake. This made it very challenging for women to be given the responsibility of playing the drums. Women were mostly dancers and singers while the men drummed. It was also believed that the roles and expectation of women did not allow them the time to have such important roles in society. It was unheard of to have a girl leave her home and learn the skill of drum playing at the expense of learning how to keep a home through older women. Older women could also not leave the home and family to attend and play at a function. It was easier for men who were more available to take up such roles.
