The History and Future of the Djembe Drum - The Beat is On!

The Djembe is a skin covered drum which resembles the shape of a large goblet and is made to be played best with bare hands and a lot of force behind it. Most Djembe Drums are traditionally carved and each have their own meanings and even stories behind them if you were to translate them.

Djembe Drums are actually named after their original wood source, the Djem tree, which is mostly found in Mali, which is in West Africa, and was at one time used in the making of Djembe shells. Dating back to the 13th Century, the djembe is the drum of the Mandinka people, and the great Mali empire. The word djembe is pronounced (JEM-bay). It is sometimes called jembe, djimbe, yembe, or jenbe. In Susu it is called sanbanyi. (The Susu are descendants of the thirteenth century Mali empire, who mostly live in Guinea now, but are spread throughout west african nations.)

The traditional way in Africa to play a Djembe Drum is actually by standing but in a lot of photos you will see someone sitting while playing it. This may be a cultural thing as the Djembe Drum has gained a lot of widespread popularity in other areas of the world. In the oldest known method, however, shoulder straps are worn to support a player's shoulders and the lower portion of the drum is situated between the legs of the Djembe player as they beat out their tribal tunes. Sometimes a strap will even be implemented around the waist if a player needs further support and both hands are always used to play. This creates greater diversity of sound capable by a Djembe Drum player.

The wide range of tones that a Djembe Drum can make has to do with its size and shape and an experienced player can make dozens of unique tones all with one single Djembe Drum. It is usually known however for it's deep bass note. Djembe Drums are actually hugely popular all over Africa and spread among the native tribes there far and wide hundreds of years ago. It is called a secular Mande drum and is the most common man made instrument in it's homeland of West Africa or Mali.

The Djembe Drum was originally called a Jembe drum, the D is there because French made their way to Africa and made French African colonies many decades ago. In Mali the traditional tribal languages weren't written down and it is thought that because of this combination the French sound is used. It is not entirely known why the French way of spelling Djembe has become the most widely used way to spell it when it is still pronounced by many other cultures with a J as it was called.

Some people think it takes away from the African culture to have the djembe rhythms and associated dances written in French instead of their original language, and perhaps this is true, but the connection with France has definitely broadened the popularity and spread of the djembe drum far and wide, as the people of Mali, Senegal, Guinea, the Ivory Coast have emigrated to France and beyond.

Percussion drums, and Djembe drums in particular are enjoyed now in many nations with African people who wish to learn something of their ancestry, and spreading widely to include people from over the planet, there are many drum groups that now take place in countries as far and wide as Thailand, Great Britain and the US of A! Djembe Drums, and other musical instruments percussion have successfully made it into pop culture, and who knows where they will go next? Perhaps cinema and TV will give them a mention or two and the next thing you know, you'll be playing a Djembe in high school band or buy one at your local music shop. The future is limitless for the Djembe Drum.

Many school groups are realising that the Djembe drum is a great instrument for school students to learn in class, instead of the recorder or guitar. The young people love the rhythms and beats, and can quickly pick up the various tones and styles. Working together, improving self esteem and co-operation, even reducing stress, the popularity of the Djembe drum is growing, so watch out world, the Djembe is coming!

Chris Barton lives in Scotland, with his wife and three wonderful children, and their little dog, Molly! Among his business interests are a number of Djembe drum websites. The largest website is Djembe Drums. The Djembe Drum Shop only sells fair trade products, guaranteeing a fair price to the master craftsmen, and great deal all round for his customers!