| The Djembe is a skin covered drum which | | | | The Djembe Drum was originally called a Jembe |
| resembles the shape of a large goblet and is | | | | drum, the D is there because French made their |
| made to be played best with bare hands and a lot | | | | way to Africa and made French African colonies |
| of force behind it. Most Djembe Drums are | | | | many decades ago. In Mali the traditional tribal |
| traditionally carved and each have their own | | | | languages weren't written down and it is thought |
| meanings and even stories behind them if you | | | | that because of this combination the French |
| were to translate them. | | | | sound is used. It is not entirely known why the |
| Djembe Drums are actually named after their | | | | French way of spelling Djembe has become the |
| original wood source, the Djem tree, which is | | | | most widely used way to spell it when it is still |
| mostly found in Mali, which is in West Africa, and | | | | pronounced by many other cultures with a J as it |
| was at one time used in the making of Djembe | | | | was called. |
| shells. Dating back to the 13th Century, the | | | | Some people think it takes away from the |
| djembe is the drum of the Mandinka people, and | | | | African culture to have the djembe rhythms and |
| the great Mali empire. The word djembe is | | | | associated dances written in French instead of |
| pronounced (JEM-bay). It is sometimes called | | | | their original language, and perhaps this is true, but |
| jembe, djimbe, yembe, or jenbe. In Susu it is | | | | the connection with France has definitely |
| called sanbanyi. (The Susu are descendants of the | | | | broadened the popularity and spread of the |
| thirteenth century Mali empire, who mostly live in | | | | djembe drum far and wide, as the people of Mali, |
| Guinea now, but are spread throughout west | | | | Senegal, Guinea, the Ivory Coast have emigrated |
| african nations.) | | | | to France and beyond. |
| The traditional way in Africa to play a Djembe | | | | Percussion drums, and Djembe drums in particular |
| Drum is actually by standing but in a lot of photos | | | | are enjoyed now in many nations with African |
| you will see someone sitting while playing it. This | | | | people who wish to learn something of their |
| may be a cultural thing as the Djembe Drum has | | | | ancestry, and spreading widely to include people |
| gained a lot of widespread popularity in other | | | | from over the planet, there are many drum |
| areas of the world. In the oldest known method, | | | | groups that now take place in countries as far |
| however, shoulder straps are worn to support a | | | | and wide as Thailand, Great Britain and the US of |
| player's shoulders and the lower portion of the | | | | A! Djembe Drums, and other musical instruments |
| drum is situated between the legs of the Djembe | | | | percussion have successfully made it into pop |
| player as they beat out their tribal tunes. | | | | culture, and who knows where they will go next? |
| Sometimes a strap will even be implemented | | | | Perhaps cinema and TV will give them a mention |
| around the waist if a player needs further support | | | | or two and the next thing you know, you'll be |
| and both hands are always used to play. This | | | | playing a Djembe in high school band or buy one |
| creates greater diversity of sound capable by a | | | | at your local music shop. The future is limitless for |
| Djembe Drum player. | | | | the Djembe Drum. |
| The wide range of tones that a Djembe Drum | | | | Many school groups are realising that the Djembe |
| can make has to do with its size and shape and | | | | drum is a great instrument for school students to |
| an experienced player can make dozens of unique | | | | learn in class, instead of the recorder or guitar. |
| tones all with one single Djembe Drum. It is usually | | | | The young people love the rhythms and beats, |
| known however for it's deep bass note. Djembe | | | | and can quickly pick up the various tones and |
| Drums are actually hugely popular all over Africa | | | | styles. Working together, improving self esteem |
| and spread among the native tribes there far and | | | | and co-operation, even reducing stress, the |
| wide hundreds of years ago. It is called a secular | | | | popularity of the Djembe drum is growing, so |
| Mande drum and is the most common man made | | | | watch out world, the Djembe is coming! |
| instrument in it's homeland of West Africa or Mali. | | | | |