1. Djembe
By
Mrs Schneider

2. Djembe is a skin covered drum.

3. It is believed
that the
djembe drum
was invented
in the twelfth
century by the
Mandinke
tribe, in Mali,
West Africa

4. According to the
Bamana people in Mali,
the name of the djembe
comes directly from the
saying "Anke djé, anke
bé" which translates to
"everyone gather
together in peace" and
defines the drum's
purpose.

5. Traditionally crafted djembe drums were carved from a single
section of a Lenge tree

6. Drum heads are made from goats skin
Goats raised in West Africa are thought to have tougher and
harder hides which give the drum a special quality.

7. Tuning
Djembe drums
are tuned by
evenly pulling the
vertical ropes
very tightly so
that a system of
metal rings
brings the skin
down over the
drum shell.

8. As a result of the goblet shape, the density
of the wood, the internal carvings, and the
skin, there is a wide range of tones that
can be produced by the djembe.

9. Tones
•The Bass
•The Tone
•The Slap

10. Gather together in peace

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Want to run a djembe project?
• Contact Merton Music Foundation to find
out more about our In2Music programme
• We can also arrange individual and small
group world percussion tuition
• Enjoy!
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