Clean your African drum with a damp cloth. You can do this as often as needed. Do not use soap or any other cleaning material. Also clean your hands each time you play to avoid contaminating your drum. The skin tends to dry and crack over time, so it is important to keep it hydrated. One way to achieve that is to play your drum on a regular basis. The natural oil produced by your hands will transfer to the skin and keep it hydrated. If you don't play regularly, you must often apply natural oil, such as coconut or shea butter, to keep the skin healthy.
Maintain the wood portion of your African drum by applying palm or coconut oil. With time, the wood starts to get dry, creating small cracks at the bottom of the drum. So, it is important to keep it hydrated by cleaning the wood first, and then applying the oil. Place the African drum in the sun for about an hour and it will absorb and keep the oil. Hydrate your shell about twice a year.
Store your African drum indoors in normal room temperature, using a padded bag as it will prevent the drum from getting damaged. This is important if you plan to move your drum regularly. Avoid storing your drum in extreme temperatures (too hot or too cold) as the skin will tighten and modify the sound the drum produces.
Loosen the skin of your African drum when you are not using it. Just turn the diamond on the side of the drum as needed. Loosening allows the skin to reduce the tension and prolong its lifespan.