| Ilu | |
| Background: | percussion |
| Classification: | Percussion |
| Hornbostel Sachs: | 211.212 |
| Hornbostel Sachs Desc: | Directly struck membranophone with two usable membranes |
An Ilú or Ilu is the Yoruba name for a type of Brazilian wooden folk drum, found characteristically in the northern provinces of Pernambuco and Ceará.
It has a cylindrical shape with skins at the top and bottom and is normally played with hands.[1] It is mostly used in religious rituals, coming usually in three sizes, curved or flat-shaped. This make these drums sound slightly different from each other, and to allow performers to play on a standing position. They are built on a cross-shaped base.[2]
The same term was earlier used for double-headed barrel-shaped drums, a similar drum from southern Brazil is known as a Tambu.[3]