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14[[quoteright:300:[[Literature/JungleDrums https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jungle_drums.jpg]]]]
15[[caption-width-right:300:The wildlife is getting restless.]]
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20
21->'''Mr. Boosey:''' Well, Upsidasi, what do those drums say?\
22'''Upsidasi:''' Dey say... "Boom diddy, boom diddy, boom boom boom".
23-->-- ''Film/CarryOnUpTheJungle''
24
25A sister trope to TheNativesAreRestless, this harks back to the days in [[DarkestAfrica deepest darkest Africa]], where the mood of the natives can be determined by their midnight drumming. If they're banging away on those puppies till the wee small hours, trouble is definitely brewing. The more anxious white people [[IncessantMusicMadness can be driven to nervous exhaustion]] by Those Infernal Drums ([[AGoodNameForARockBand a good name for a band]]), but the moment you really worry is [[ItsQuietTooQuiet when they stop, suddenly]]. Sometimes we get to see the wild abandoned dancing of the natives.
26
27They are also used by the natives to communicate, as the native guide will often grab plot-relevant info from them (TruthInTelevision, [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talking_drum in fact]]). See also JunglesSoundLikeKookaburras.
28
29No relation to the types of drums used in jungle music, like the AmenBreak.
30
31----
32!!Examples:
33
34[[foldercontrol]]
35
36[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
37* Invoked in the manga version of ''Manga/NausicaaOfTheValleyOfTheWind'' with the Doroks, a bizarre mashup of various "non-western" cultures who hold ceremonies involving frantic drumming and dancing as they prepare to besiege enemy cities.
38[[/folder]]
39
40[[folder:Comic Books]]
41* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1942'': The African tribesmen who are being forced to work for the Nazis (who are holding their women and children hostage) use drums to summon their neighbors in before attacking them.
42* Subverted in the Creator/DynamiteComics MassiveMultiplayerCrossover ''Legenderry'': the main characters all nod understandingly when ComicStrip/ThePhantom says the message about them came through drums, and never learn that "Drums" is the nickname of the tribe's radio operator.
43[[/folder]]
44
45[[folder:Comic Strips]]
46* Parodied in a ''ComicStrip/TheFarSide'' cartoon, where two explorers are hiding out in a tent from a percussionistic native tribe. One of them notices what the natives are beating and says, "Wait, Morrison!... It's OK--those are jungle ''triangles''!"
47* ''Magazine/TheNewYorker'': A cartoon by Whitney Darrow invoked the communication angle by showing a fellow pounding away on a drum while another drummer tells a white explorer, "Momboango gives [[Creator/DavidIcke the news behind the news]]."
48* Since ''ComicStrip/ThePhantom'''s base of operations is in DarkestAfrica, these are often [[WrittenSoundEffect seen-heard]] conveying information across the jungle.
49[[/folder]]
50
51[[folder:Fan Works]]
52* The Literature/{{Discworld}} of Creator/AAPessimal has the local analogue of CMOT Dibbler motioning the person he is speaking to for silence while he and his bearers listen to the drums. Howondaland's Dibbler then explains the financial report always comes at the end, miss, and he needed to know the current exchange rates for the Urabean Mhlati against the Rimwards Howondalandian Rand set against the benchmark of the Ankh-Morporkian Dollar.
53[[/folder]]
54
55[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
56* ''Film/{{Airplane}}''. A brief scene has a native beating on drums as an analogy to a news broadcast.
57* ''Film/CarryOn'' films:
58** The trope is parodied in ''Film/CarryOnAgainDoctor''. The natives are using their drums to broadcast the week's English football results:
59--->'''Dr Nookey''': Oh, those damn drums! What do they keep pounding like that-\
60'''Gladstone''': Sh! Sh! Hang on!\
61'''Dr Nookey''': Gladstone, where are you going? Gladstone? Gladstone, Gladstone-\
62'''Gladstone''': Sh! Sh! ({{Beat}}) It can't be!\
63'''Dr Nookey''': Wh-wh-what's wrong?\
64'''Gladstone''': [[UsefulNotes/BritishFootyTeams Manchester United 6... Chelsea 1! Arsenal 5... Wolves nil!]]
65** In ''Film/CarryOnUpTheJungle'', when the bearers hear the Noshas' drums, they refuse to go any further lest they be eaten by cannibals. Bill Boosey isn't convinced that cannibals even exist, but Upsidasi explains it to him:
66--->'''Upsidasi''': Well, dey say dat de first drum says "Lay de table. Dinner on de way". And de second drum says "Yummy yummy".
67* ''Film/DeadtimeStoriesVolume1'': When Angela and her expedition are being pursued through UsefulNotes/TheAmazonRainforest in "Valley of the Shadow", one of the natives is shown playing a strange drum like instrument whose beat fills the soundtrack.
68* In ''Film/GeorgeOfTheJungle'' messages are sent via Bongo-gram.
69* Played by the Amazons during their celebration in ''Film/FrankensteinIsland''. It has a very African beat despite the island in question being in the Philippines and nowhere near Africa.
70* ''Film/HeartOfDarkness1958'' sees the "bush telegraph" version PlayedForLaughs when the Accountant dictates his "interoffice memo" to a drummer, who relays the message with [[TranslationYes surprising terseness]].
71* Spoofed in ''Film/TheHotChick'' where a store clerk is explaining why she won't sell a pair of earrings the audience knows to be enchanted to the protagonist, and a wild drumbeat builds for dramatic effect. She then interrupts herself to snap at her employee [[LeftTheBackgroundMusicOn playing the drums so loud.]]
72* You will also hear communicating drums in ''Film/IWalkedWithAZombie'' and other {{Voodoo}} pictures whenever they bother to [[ShownTheirWork be the least bit authentic]].
73* ''Film/{{Jumanji}}''. The [[https://youtu.be/3e1Acwh8GmQ board game's]] {{Leitmotif}}. The game uses it to draw in new players, who are established as being the only ones that can hear the drums.
74* ''Film/JumanjiWelcomeToTheJungle'': The game uses them as a cue that it's about to unleash some fast-paced action on the players.
75* In ''Film/KingOfTheZombies'', voodoo drums are a constant (and unnerving) presence whenever the main characters are outside the mansion.
76* In ''Film/LianeJungleGoddess'', the Botos communicate using jungle drums. Thoren uses his knowledge of the drum language to communicate with Liane after she is captured.
77* When Sister Luke goes to Africa in ''Film/TheNunsStory'' one of the mission sisters listens to the drums and tells Sister Luke what they're saying about her.
78* In ''Film/{{The Phantom|1996}}'', the Bangalla natives use message drums to summon the Phantom when trouble is brewing.
79* ''Film/TheRoadToSingapore'': Instead of a signal that TheNativesAreRestless like how this trope is often used, here (the setting is 1931 India, so during the British colonial era) it's a sign that they're all getting laid. Hugh asks his servant and is told that the nonstop jungle drums are part of a ceremony where the local young men are picking brides and, presumably, having a lot of sex. The drums keep both him and Phillipa (Hugh's neighbor, a lonely wife in a SexlessMarriage) up and apparently lead to them having sex with each other.
80* In the Creator/RepublicPictures film ''Film/TheVampiresGhost'', the people of the village of Bakunda [[AfricaIsACountry somewhere on the West African coast]] use drums to communicate, and word quickly spreads among them that [[VampiresOwnNightclubs the local nightclub owner is a vampire]] long before the [[MightyWhitey white heroes]] figure it out. Also a heroic example, since the drum network is key to hunting down the vampire in the film's third act.
81* Although an American Western version, there's this scene in ''Film/TheVillain''.
82-->'''Nervous Elk:''' We attack... at [[DawnAttack dawn!]]\
83'''Cactus Jack:''' Chief, why don't we attack now, when they're off guard?\
84'''Nervous Elk:''' Indians ''never'' attack till dawn!\
85'''Cactus Jack:''' Why?\
86'''Nervous Elk:''' 'Cause at night, Indians too busy pounding on those damned ''DRUMS!''
87[[/folder]]
88
89[[folder:Jokes]]
90* Parodied in [[http://ronanguil.blogspot.com/2009/10/when-drums-stop-big-trouble.html this joke]].
91-->Most jazz musicians probably know this joke -- the one about the guy on Safari, who when travelling through the jungle hears some incredible drumming coming from a distance. The following conversation ensues with his local guide:\
92'''Guy:''' Wow! That's amazing -- let's see if we find it!\
93'''Guide:''' No! We must go now -- when drums stop, big trouble!\
94'''Guy:''' But the drumming sounds amazing, I really want to check it out.\
95'''Guide:''' No -- we must go, when drums stop, big trouble!\
96'''Guy:''' But this is the kind of thing I came here to experience! I really want to hear it!\
97'''Guide:''' No! We must go before drums stop!\
98'''Guy:''' But why? What happens when the drums stop?\
99'''Guide:''' [[NobodyLovesTheBassist Bass solo!]]
100* Another joke tells of two guys on safari who hear a drumming coming through the jungle, and one of them says to the other "I don't like the sound of those drums!" And it gets louder, and he says "I ''really'' don't like the sound of those drums!" And then they hear a voice saying "Yeah, well, it's not our regular drummer."
101[[/folder]]
102
103[[folder:Literature]]
104* In Creator/RobertEHoward's Franchise/ConanTheBarbarian story "Literature/BeyondTheBlackRiver," the Picts are communicating in drums, much to the displeasure of Conan and the others at the fort. To be sure the Picts are both white (a point lampshaded in the story) and in what would one day be Europe, but the trope is treated identically.
105* In ''Congo Mercenary'' by Mike Hoare, the Wild Geese find a huge village drum. One of the mercenaries drums out a flawless beat, then listens. An answering beat is heard in the distance.
106-->"What's he saying?"\
107"Wrong number!"
108* Jungle drums are a constant presence when Literature/DocSavage and his crew are in DarkestAfrica in ''Land of Long Juju''.
109* As indicated by the title, the Literature/DragonridersOfPern novel ''Dragondrums'' details how the human transplants to the planet Pern use drums to communicate between settlements.
110* In ''Explorers of Literature/{{Gor}}'', which took place in a JustForFun/FantasyCounterpart culture combining DarkestAfrica with the Amazon rainforest, the natives communicated via drum. {{Justified|Trope}} via "certain drum sounds correspond to the vowels of the language, and the drum rhythm mimics the rhythm of the native language."
111* ''Literature/HeartOfDarkness'' by Jospeh Conrad.
112* The children's' book by Creator/GraemeBase, ''Jungle Drums''.
113* ''Literature/ThePeshawarLancers'' gives it a twist: with Europe having been ravaged by natural disasters and its civilization collapsed, mention is made of drums in the night along the savage ''Rhine'' River.
114* One of the early chapters of ''{{Literature/Roots}}'' describes how little kids learn to listen to the drums and gradually understand what they're saying.
115* ''Literature/{{Tarzan}}'' has the ''dum-dum'' drums being played by ''mangani'', the apes that raised Tarzan, at midnight gatherings.
116[[/folder]]
117
118[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
119* Parodied in a ''Series/GilligansIsland'' episode. The castaways hear drums, implying an impending attack from the natives. Then the drums stop, at which point the Professor assures them that the attack has been called off. Cut to the natives with a broken drum, and a chief lamenting (via subtitle) that TheyDontMakeThemLikeTheyUsedTo.
120* ''Series/TheGoodies''. The South Africa episode with the "The jockeys are restless tonight". Cue Bill playing bongo drums. And the obligatory VisualPun when the "message sent on the drums" involves a drum thrown at Tim and Graham with a message written on it.
121* Invoked, complete with exact words, for the purpose of conveying wild, carnal depravity in the second episode of ''Series/LoisAndClark''. When [[TheAllAmericanBoy Clark]] is briefly over at [[ReallyGetsAround Cat]]'s apartment laying low from rampaging government agents, Cat sets him at ease and plays against her reputation, but as soon as he's on the phone with Lois and Perry she turns on a recording of jungle drums at high volume to give everyone at the Planet the impression that the two of them are, as Clark later puts it, "hanging from the chandeliers."
122-->'''Perry:''' ''Jungle drums?!!''
123* Turns up in an episode of ''Series/TheManFromUncle''.
124* These occur during the ''Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'' sketch with explorers dining at a jungle restaurant.
125* One episode of ''Series/TheTwilightZone1985'' depicts the havoc created when a granted wish causes all the sound effects for a jungle-adventure radio show to be produced by authentic sources. This includes, naturally, a feathered and painted native beating on a drum.
126[[/folder]]
127
128[[folder:Music]]
129* The Cadets' "Stranded in the Jungle" from 1956. Meanwhile, back in the jungle...
130* The most famous example is ''Music/DrumsOfPassion'' by Music/BabatundeOlatunji, the album that broke African music to the West.
131* The Clyde Otis song, 'Jungle Drums'.
132* The Emiliani Torrini song and video, 'Jungle Drum'.
133* The Music/VanHalen song, "Everybody Wants Some!!"
134* Rhea's Obsession's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg5zrsq0920 Memento Mori]] features some tribal drums starting at about 2:30 and continuing for the remainder of the track.
135[[/folder]]
136
137[[folder:Pinballs]]
138* ''Pinball/ElDoradoCityOfGold'' uses this as a constant background sound effect.
139[[/folder]]
140
141[[folder:Puppet Shows]]
142* In one ''Series/SesameStreet'' sketch, Ernie is looking for Dr. Livingstone (who ''is'' that kind of doctor) to ask him an [[BlatantLies important]] question, with Bert reluctantly tagging along and wanting to go home at every setback. At the end, the drums are also beaten after Ernie asks [[ShoutOut his]] [[WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes question]], and Dr. Livingston remarks about the jungle being full of jokers. Before that, however, one of the people they run into is Taxi Driver [=McGillicuddy=]. (Or however it would be spelled.) His identity clarified, they hear JungleDrums:
143-->'''Taxi Driver:''' Those drums! Those drums! They're sayin', "Taxiiiii!" I tell ya, it's a jungle out heayuh.
144
145[[/folder]]
146
147[[folder: Radio]]
148* Used in the intro to ''Radio/MoonOverAfrica'', about an expedition through Africa. The natives use drums for long-distance communication, and the white adventurer protagonists read the drum-talk to determine whether they are friendly or hostile, and to intercept news and gossip.
149* ''Radio/TheGoonShow'' put their distinctive spin on the idea:
150--> '''Neddie:''' I have a message for you from Bloodnock, in the [[DarkestAfrica heart of Africa]]. ''*several seconds of jungle drums*'' Signed... ''*tom tom*'' Any reply?\
151'''Grytpype:''' Jove, yes! This: ''*several seconds of modern full-kit drum solo*'' Signed yours sincerely, ''*congas*'', PS, ''*triangle jingling*''.\
152'''Neddie:''' What beautiful handwriting you have.
153[[/folder]]
154
155[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
156* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''
157** ''Magazine/{{Dragon}}'' #189 "Bazaar of the Bizarre". When the Drums of Menace are played, everyone within 1,000 feet (except the person playing it and their allies) becomes paranoid. They are overly worried about ambushes and traps, more likely to be affected by illusions and so on. The feeling of menace continues as long as the drums continue to be beaten.
158** Basic D&D supplement ''The Book of Marvelous Magic''. When Native Drums are played at night those trying to sleep within 50 yards can't get to sleep and suffer penalties the next day.
159* Venusians in ''TabletopGame/RocketAge'' play war drums deep into the night before opening hostilities, as both a war to declare their intentions and as a form of psychological warfare.
160* ''TabletopGame/{{Traveller}}'' Supplement 2 ''Animal Encounters''. Subverted in one possible encounter. The {{PC}}s hear this sound in the distance. If they investigate they find that it's a natural phenomena caused by a grove of hollow trees.
161[[/folder]]
162
163[[folder:Theater]]
164* The bit with the natives playing drums as a sign of impending trouble was popularized by a 1918 melodrama, ''The Drums of Oude'', apparently based on the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Rebellion_of_1857 Sepoy uprising]] (which was India, not Africa, but ne'mind).
165* In ''Theatre/TheEmperorJones'', the natives' drums start beating faster every time Jones expends a bullet.
166* In ''Theatre/PorgyAndBess'', the Kittiwah picnic scene begins with 49 bars of polyrhythmic African drumming.
167[[/folder]]
168
169[[folder:Video Games]]
170* ''VideoGame/BloonsTowerDefense'' has an upgrade called Jungle Drums for the Monkey Village that increases the attack speed of nearby monkeys (or sometimes non-monkeys as well).
171* In ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'', a skilled leatherworker can make many kinds of drums and sound them during a battle to give his team various bonuses. A typical kodo steed is shown to have some attached to the saddle but they aren't usable (unlike Warcraft 3, where a drummer mounted on a kodo increased combat effectivenes of nearby troops.)
172[[/folder]]
173
174[[folder:Western Animation]]
175
176* ''WesternAnimation/JonnyQuest'' episode "Pursuit of the Po-Ho". The jungle-dwelling Po-Ho Indians communicate using drums.
177* ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'' episode "Tri-Stone Area": the cavepeople versions of Candace and Stacy use this instead of cellphones.
178* The ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheatricalCartoons'' short, "Jungle Drums".
179[[/folder]]
180
181[[folder:Real Life]]
182* Drummers of Sri Lanka used the drums to communicate people during the ancient times. They are known as Beras.
183** Ana Bera means informing the Sri Lankan people about orders from the King.
184** Vada Bera means that a criminal is taken for beheading.
185** Mala Bera means a funeral was in process.
186** Rana Bera means that the army or the police when going out to meet the enemy.
187* This trope originated in West Africa, where [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talking_drum drums were indeed used to communicate long distances]]; however, the drummers did so over wide grassy plains. Jungles do not let sound carry far. There is an art to real message drumming and many musicians have taken up the art and passed it along to keep it from becoming an Endangered or Dead Language.
188* Any East and Southeast Asian drums.
189[[/folder]]

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