4. African djembes are hand-crafted in Guinea from a tree trunk into a shape like a vase with a goatskin head. We hand pick each one to ensure quality but there are variations in trim, cord and exact dimensions. All of the djembes stand about twenty-four inches tall, and weigh twenty-two pounds; the head diameter is 13 inches. As Yaya explains in his book "The Healing Drum," the djembe is the village therapist. If you are in need, it's much less expensive than a therapist in America.