A bougarabou (alternative spelling “Boucarabou”) is a set of drums commonly used in West Africa.
As -ab or -abu represents the article, also Búgaar, the indefinite denotation, is used synonymously in everyday life whereas the Plural Wúgaraw is nearly not used.
The drummer also wears a series of metal bracelets called Siwangas in Buluf and Fogny dialect that contribute to the sound.
The audience and the dancers form a circle and clap, often with wooden chunks (size 25–30 cm) of palm peduncles, and sing with the music, but it is unique in that a single drummer traditionally provides the drumming.
They have a full, deep, rich sound which can be heard for miles and is effective at all dynamic levels.