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Sato, an instrument for all time
by Manuelo KOUDOGBO, age 20, BEHANZIN School,
Porto-Novo
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Sato (Bass Drum)
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Wood, animal skin
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"Alexandre Sènou Adandé" Ethnographic Museum, Benin
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One sunny July afternoon, I was walking in Agonlin, a village in the Zou Department of central Benin when I suddenly had a revelation. In front of me a ceremony was going on and in the centre of a circle of an assorted group of relatives, friends and onlookers, was a giant drum (around 1.90 meters high), made from wood and covered on top with a skin. Around it whirled young men in their prime. These young men held large drum sticks, sometimes in their left hand, at other times in their right hand, using them to beat their sato, at regular intervals, in rhythm with the boisterous music of other musicians, playing accompanying instruments. Among these instruments, there were three drums, called the danhoun, some castanets and some gongs. The merry-go-round lasted around four hours when suddenly the skin on the drum ripped. The music stopped immediately and after several minutes of drinking, everything was put away. I was really intrigued! I was so surprised that I wanted to find out more. I learned afterwards that this was a ritual drum played by orphans during funeral ceremonies for important people.
Today, the sato continues to be a sacred instrument and beware outsiders!!! After it is made, it is actually consecrated by religious communities before it is played. And no one is allowed to look inside because it harbours the spirits of the dead. This is why it is stored standing up and is only transported at night.
I was pleased to discover this information and I wanted to share it with you. I hope that you enjoyed discovering the sato with me, this instrument that defies time because it is unchanging. I would be pleased if you would send me your impressions of a similar instrument that you are crazy about in your country.
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