Meaning
The smallest and highest-pitched of the three sacred Nyabinghi hand drums — also called the 'repeater' — which plays the fast, improvising lead patterns over the steady funde and bass. In Rastafari drumming the akete carries the flourishes and conversation, dancing on top of the heartbeat rhythm. Its African-rooted patterns fed directly into the drumming of ska and reggae.
Examples
-
Di akete a play di fast part pon top.
The akete plays the fast lead part on top.
-
Three drum — bass, funde, an akete.
Three drums — bass, funde, and akete.
-
Di repeater man improvise pon di akete.
The lead drummer improvises on the akete.
Origin
Of African (Akan) origin; the lead/'repeater' Nyabinghi drum. See [[funde-drum]], [[nyabinghi]].
How it’s used
The lead/highest Nyabinghi hand drum ('repeater'); improvises over funde and bass. See [[funde-drum]], [[repeater-drum]], [[nyabinghi]].