Eji bata drum, with shell made of omo wood (Cordia milleni). Both heads of the drum are struck; the larger one with the right hand, the smaller one with a leather strap held in the left hand. Both heads have two layers of skin, with the top layer cut away to form a ring around the inner skin. The heads are lapped onto internal hoops and are directly braced: the hide lacing, with vestiges of hair, passes through the eight holes between the two heads and beneath the hoops. The lacing between the skins is tightened by a cross lacing of long strips of hide with hair exposed, encircling the central section of the drum. The drum has a carrying strap of dyed crimson leather with a textile backing.
In the bàtá drum ensemble, the eji drum supports the rhythms of Íyáálú (mother) drum.
