The drums used in the royal tradition are called 'ingoma'. They are made from hollowed tree trunks covered with animal skin and can stand taller than a person. Each drum has its own deep, resonant voice. When many of them play together, the sound is so powerful it can be felt as much as heard - a vibration that moves through your whole body.
What makes the performance extraordinary is that the drummers do not just stand still. They dance as they play - lifting the drum from its base, carrying it on their head, spinning, jumping, and passing beats between each other in a flowing pattern. The performance has been called 'the most exciting percussion show on Earth' by audiences and musicians who have seen it.
The tradition was historically performed at royal ceremonies and harvest celebrations. Today the Royal Drummers travel around the world, performing at major music festivals and concert halls. But the heart of the tradition remains in Burundi, where young people still learn the rhythms, movements, and songs from their elders, keeping the tradition alive for the next generation.