If you enjoy percussion, especially African drums, then the djembe drum is one of the most popular and versatile of the African instruments.

1. Djembe
Answers to Common Questions About Djembes

2. What is a djembe?
A djembe is a goblet shaped drum
played with the bare hands
that produces a variety of tones.

3. Where did the djembe come from?
The djembe had its beginnings in West Africa.
The Bambara (or Bamana) people of Mali
claim that the name“djembe” came from a
saying “anke dje, anke be”, which translates to
“everyone gather together in peace”.

4. What was the djembe used for?
With its expressive voice and versatile sound,
the djembe was (and still is) used to
accompany dancers and singers at weddings,
funerals, births, and seasonal festivals,
such as planting and harvesting.

5. How were djembes made?
Originally, djembes were carved by
Mandinkan blacksmiths from a single piece
of African hardwood.

6. More on how djembes were made
It is also believed that the blacksmiths
custom-made the drum for each musician and
that they made offerings to the
spirits of the trees they cut down
during the carving process.

7. More on how djembes were made
The drum head (or membrane) was most
commonly made from animal skin and
attached to the wood via a strip of rawhide,
sinew, or intestines.

8. How are djembes made today?
These days, most djembes are made from
synthetic materials (such as fiberglass for the
body and FiberSkyn for the drum head) and
the drum head is usually attached
with polyester or nylon rope.

9. What is the typical djembe size?
The typical djembe is between 23 and
25 inches tall with a drum head size
of between 12 to 15 inches.

10. What sounds does the djembe make?
The djembe has three main sounds:
1. bass (low pitch) – produced by striking near the center of
the drum head with the palm and flat fingers
2. tone (medium pitch) – produced by striking near the edge
of the drum head and making contact with most of the
fingers and edge of the palm
3. slap (high pitch) – produced by striking near the edge of
the drum head and making contact with the edge of the
palm and finger tips

11. Where can I learn more about the djembe?
Learn more from these sites:
1. Djembe Lessons
2. Djembe on Wikipedia
3. Drum Connection - History of the Djembe
4. Drum Dr. - History of the Djembe