Traditional drums and pop stars who have used them

This ensemble uses drums called karyenda, which are made of hollowed tree trunks covered with animal skins. They often perform at ceremonies such as births, funerals and coronations of mwami (or kings). Recognized by UNESCO in 2014 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the karyenda are considered sacred in Burundi.

The Royal Drummers of Burundi had a major influence on various musicians such as The Clash, Echo and the Bunnymen, Adam and the Ants, Malcolm McLaren and Bow Wow Wow. A field recording of one of their performances was also featured on Canadian singer songwriter Joni Mitchell's "The Jungle Line," a song on her 1975 album, "The Hissing of Summer Lawns."

Some drums are called "talking drums" as their pitches can be regulated to mimic human speech. Used as communication devices in western African societies, these hourglass-shaped drums have two drumheads connected by leather tension cords, which allow the player to change the pitch of the drums by squeezing the cords between their arm and body.

The talking drum made an appearance in English rock musician Peter Gabriel's fifth solo album, "So," in 1986. The song "In Your Eyes" features Senegalese singer songwriter Youssou N'Dour (right, performing with Gabriel in 2014) singing a part at the end of the song translated into his native Wolof, while renowned French drummer and songwriter, Manu Katche, played the talking drum.

The tabla is one of the most recognizable percussion instruments from the Indian subcontinent and commonly used in north Indian classical music. Consisting of two drums, called bayan and dayan for the left and right hands respectively, the drums feature a layer of goatskin stretched over a metal or clay vessel. Pictured here is famed Indian tabla virtuoso, Zakir Hussain.

Although inspired by a traditional Irish folk song called "Down by Blackwaterside," this instrumental by the English rock band had an Indian flavor to it thanks to the tabla-playing of drummer and sitarist, Viram Jasani. Recorded in October 1968 at Olympic Studios in London, "Black Mountain Side" was part of the group's 1969 debut album, "Led Zeppelin."

This iconic Irish drum is said to pre-date Christianity, and is believed to have begun as an implement first rather than an instrument. Believed to translate from Gaelic as "skin tray," it has been used among others to carry peat. It features prominently in the instrumental music of Irish folk band The Chieftains. Kevin Conneff is seen here playing a bodhran, with bandmate Matt Molloy on flute.

Credited with popularizing Irish folk music, The Chieftains gained further mainstream acclaim in the US in the 1970s when they worked on the Academy Award-winning soundtrack to Stanley Kubrick's 1975 film "Barry Lyndon." Their 1995 album "The Long Black Veil" featured some famous collaborations, including "The Rocky Road to Dublin," which they did with The Rolling Stones.

Latin percussion instruments like congas, bongos, and timbales have also featured prominently in mainstream music. Seen here is famed Mexican-American guitarist and songwriter Carlos Santana whose band produced hits like "Black Magic Woman" and "Smooth" accompanied by percussion instruments such as the maracas that the singer is seen shaking here.

Brazilian drumming group Olodum (pictured) had long been an institution in the country's famous carnival scene. But they gained global exposure in 1996, when they were featured in a Michael Jackson song, "They Don't Care About Us." The band is also actively involved in social movements against racism and for civil and human rights.

Trilok Gurtu is yet another master drummer and world music pioneer who seamlessly melded Indian classical music, Western jazz and funk, African music and Brazilian music. Among others, he has collaborated with Gary Moore, John McLaughlin, Jan Garbarek, Joe Zawinul and Robert Miles.

The drum set has been named music instrument of the year 2022 by the German Music Council — and percussion instruments from around the world are regularly incorporated into drum kits. More than just musical instruments, traditional drums are often considered sacred. Used as a mode of communication or for religious purposes, in some cases, even their creation often involves rituals.