Hmmm, I'm a percussionist, so I've played on these instruments.
But
make one?
Not to dash your hopes, but I think it'd be next to impossible to make a play-worthy afro-percussion instrument without any previous experience.
Of course, I suppose you've gotta start somewhere if you're interested in that sort of thing!
I would suggest searching around on
http://www.everything2.com as they have many nodes concerning "make your own" type things.