The djembé is a goblet-shaped drum stretched with goat skin, played bare-handed and originating from West Africa, more precisely the Manding peoples (Bamana, Malinké) of Mali and Guinea. The djembé is undoubtedly the most well-known African instrument in the West today.
Etymology
According to the tradition of the Bamana from Mali, the word djembe would come from the expression « Anke djé, anke bé », meaning “let everyone gather in peace” — djé meaning “to gather” and bé being “peace”.
Construction
The body of the djembé is carved from a single piece of wood (often douba or iri), hollowed into a goblet shape with a height of 65 to 80 cm. The goat skin membrane (or calf) is stretched over the upper opening using a braided cord passing around leather rings. The tension is traditionally applied by progressively tightening the cords, forming a diamond-shaped pattern. The Djembefola (master djembé) warms the skin near a fire to adjust it.
History
The djembé has been played since the period of the Mali Empire (12th century). It was used as a long-distance communication instrument, as it is very powerful and can be heard from one village to another.
Traditionally, the djembé is played exclusively by men and is part of an ensemble including one or two dunun (continuous bass drums) and sometimes the bell. The ensemble forms the classic trio: djembé, dunun (konkoni or khassonka) and bell. The djembé is not used for solo dancing but integrates fully into the group.
Notable Players
- Touna Diakité (Guinea) — internationally recognized master djembé
- Sekou Janneh (Gambia) — figure of the Gambian djembé
- Famoudou Don Moye (USA/Mali) — ambassador of the djembé in the West
- Badra + Seou Sanogo (Mali) — traditional master djembés
- Balla Lemba Kouyaté (Mali) — member of the Balafon Koto group