Specifications

The djembe is a single skin African drum that resembles a chalice in shape. It is currently very popular with drummers worldwide

 

The djembe is currently very popular with drummers worldwide.

 

Itis a single skin African drum that resembles a chalice in shape. Some people have likened its appearance to a mushroom. It is designed to be played with the hand.

 

A key point about the djembe is that the base as well as the "cup" is hollow. This produces additional resonance and helps give the drum its distinctive sound and variety of percussive sounds. The drum is traditionally carved from one piece of wood and covered with goatskin.

 

The drums are made in a variety of sizes ranging from around 6" to 18" in diameter. Very often a large and small djembe are played side by side, the small djambe acting as accompaniment. Dunun drum bells are also often used as well.

 

Exactly where the djembe originated is uncertain, it has been attributed to various places such as Mail and Guinea.