The bird ( see detail ) or chicken on this drum may remind people of a Ghanaian proverb that states, "the hen knows when the day begins, but she lets the cock announce it."

This proverb tells us something about the different roles of men and women in West African societies.

While women know what's going on, it is the men who publicly announce, debate, and make most of the important decisions about things like civil law, urban development, and marriage alliances.