The djembe is now one of the most popular African drums. It is tuned with rope and often has a goat or cow skin which is played by the hands. Some say the name of the djembe came from the Bambara people in Mali, who said “Anke dje, anke be”. The saying translates as “everyone gather together in peace”.
The djembe is always accompanied by 3 bass drums called Dunduns. The 3 different types of dundun are the Kenkeni, Sangban and Dundunba. When these 3 bass drums are played together, they create a melody over which the djembe can solo.
In West African culture, drumming is almost always accompanied by dancers! At a performance, the lead drummer will mark what the dancer is doing using the djembe, creating a unique and exciting spectacle for the audience.
For more information on djembe classes, please click here!
