Jungle drums are an early form of long distance communication. Portrayed in popular movies as natives pounding on hollow logs, although most drums are carved from hardwoods into carefully tuned resonators, and often richly decorated as totemic animals.

The drums — known in Central Africa as "talking drums" or "message drums" — are capable of producing different tones as well as rhythms. They are used in regions which possess tonal languages, and the tone and beat of the drum message mimics that of actual speech. However, because this does not uniquely specify particular words, the words are combined into stereotyped phrases which unambiguously communicate a particular meaning. Because of this, a drum message is usually considerably longer than the spoken equivalent.

Under ideal conditions, the sound can be understood at 8 km (5 miles), but interesting messages would often be relayed on by the next village.

External links:

• The Talking Drums of Africa

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Also a euphemism for gossip - similar to "the grape vine"