Djembe The Culture of The Djembe Djembe drums are musical instruments and just
as in other icons can be considered as cultural symbols as well as pieces of artwork. Like other types of African drums, the djembe
was first used as some form of communication, much like the first telephone, sending information
among and between families or the local communities. These drums are known to be used as an accompaniment
for the dance and songs that are a part of certain events or rituals among many of the
African tribes and people. The djembe drum is said to have been named
after its a tree that the first drums were made from, namely the Djem tree, a tree that
is found mostly in the western part of Africa. This wood was used in the early days as the
master carvers created the drum bodies or shells. They became tremendously popular throughout
most of the African continent, spreading their use around the many native tribes there for
several hundred years. The Modern Uses of the Djembe Djembe drums as well as other types of African
percussion and drums are made by the people out in small communities and villages.
Just picture a group of artisans working under
the cover of palm leaf roofs or trees, fashioning these popular drum frames by hand from the
trunks of hard wood trees. Well, that's the old image. Many times these days, djembes are made from
PVC or other synthetic material. Djembe drums are tuned by evenly pulling the
vertical ropes very tightly which allows the metal tuning system to tighten the drum head
over the drum shell. There are also metal tuning systems used. To play a drum takes more than knowing rhythmic
patterns and exercises. In fact, African drums are now used in entertainment,
but not always as one in the Western culture would imagine. Djembe is often accompanied by other instruments
such as the bells and dundun drums.
Ceremonial African drums are not just instruments,
but are the centerpieces of community activities. In many modern communities, drum circles of
djembe players have been known to provide physiologically and psychologically therapeutic
sessions with like-minded individuals. Djembe.