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| Product Description
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| The djembe drum has its origin in the empire of Mali, which was founded by the Malinke (or Manding) people around the 13th century. It was situated in parts of the present-day countries Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Gambia and Senegal. Djembes were cut by members of the blacksmith caste, who had an important role in social life, since they also manufactured tools, knives and masks. The men circumcised the boys and their wives the girls. Each instrument was especially manufactured for one particular drummer. A tree was chosen, and the spirit of the tree was offered colanuts, to apologize for the cutting. The "djeli" (or "griot", "djeli muso" or "griotte" for women) caste consists of musicians and singers. They were the official keepers of history and tradition, by lack of any written records. From an early age, the children started to memorize endless texts on the history and customs of their people. The boys also learned how to play the balafon or kora, the girls only sing and play small accompanying instruments like a karignan or djabara. Today still, the djeli are the ones who know which songs, dances and rhythms should be performed at all social occasions like baptisms, weddings and funerals. Note that the djembe is not traditionally a djeli instrument! There are no hereditary restrictions in becoming a "djembefola" (djembeplayer). Being a djembefola was not even considered to be a profession. The village drummer, even if he was a real master, owned his living with another job. The djembe has taken its shape from mortars used to pound millet. It has an hour-glass shape and is open on two sides. A goat skin (or antelope) is stretched over the top. It is played with the hands, and can be used both as an accompanying instrument as as a solo instrument. |
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