• The conga drum, which Spanish speakers call the "Tumbadura," was developed in Cuba and was influenced by many African and Cuban instruments. The word "conga" is traditionally pronounced with Spanish vowel sounds, as in "CONE-gah." You can build this percussion instrument yourself, but probably will not be able to make it at home. Congas require a wide range of materials, along with specialized skills and tools.
  
  

Wood

• The best wooden congas are made from European beech, North American ash or Siam oak. A woodworker dries the wood, cuts it into precisely measured strips, then layers and glues them together to form the shell of the drum. Finally, the shell is bent through a steam press to form the drum's shape.
  
  

Fiberglass

• Fiberglass congas were first created in the 1960s by Latin percussionists using a resin with a high ratio of fiberglass to polyester. First, drum molds are made. A colored, liquid gel coat is added to the inside of the mold, and alternating layers of woven fiberglass and matte are applied to create the shape of the drum.
  
  

Steel

• Recently, internal steel reinforcement pins have replaced the wooden bands on the outside of wooden conga drums. For fiberglass drums, a steel ring is inserted into the shell to keep the drum round and for added strength.
  
  

Coating and Stain

• A layer of fiberglass is added inside a wooden drum's shell and sealed with a special coating to limit moisture damage. After the outside of the drum has been sanded, a stain is applied to enhance the wood grain pattern or to add color. When sealing the wood, various coats of polyurethane are added and sanded to a glass-like smoothness.