How exactly does a talking drum speak words?

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Drummers Mohamed Gueye and Richard Olatunde Baker on the talking drum’s unique melodic sound which enables it to imitate the pitches and tones of language and speak words. Photo: Talking drummers entertain bystanders during a festival at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. (PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/GettyImages)