Bang Bang! (Djembe Drum)

Member Name: Zmugzy

Product:	Djembe Drum
Date:	02/08/06 (1278 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Therapeutic past time

Disadvantages: Might upset the neighbours

The Djembe drum is an original African traditional instrument first used in Benin for voodoo rituals. In earlier times and still in some rural areas djembe drums were used to send messages over long distances. In Europe Djembe drums grew in popularity during the post war period especially in Paris as African musicians from the West coast began to tour with national ballet companies. Nowadays they enliven celebrations around the world. I bought my drum from a friend who had brought it back from Ghana.

Traditionally, Djembe drums are about 12" (30cm) in diameter, varying an inch or two, but can be found in sizes from 5" (13cm) up to 18" (46cm) depending on the size of the player. The wood from my drum is carved from tweneboa, a local hardwood from Ghana. The grain of the wood has a golden hue that highlights the engaging hand carved designs at the base of the drum. Iron rod rings are attached around the top of the drum through which double-woven nylon ropes securely fasten the goatskin drumhead. These nylon ropes can be adjusted in order to tune the instrument, something that requires an expert touch.

Traditional djembe drums are carved out of a single piece of wood from a hollowed out tree. Drums are usually adorned with carvings on the outside of the base but there is also carving on the interior – usually in the form of teardrop shaped divots that serve to enhance the final tone that the drum produces. When the drum is made the goat skin is firstly soaked in water for about two hours to soften it before stretching. The skin is firmly pulled through the iron rings to cover the mouth of the drum and this ensures that it comes out with a good sound. The drum is then left in the sun to dry after which it is tested for sound and tone quality.

The drum is not simply an ornament but a genuine musical instrument. To play the drum properly you should sit down on the edge of a chair with your ankles crossed. The top of the drum should be placed securely between the knees and the base should rest behind the heels so that the drum is at an angle away from the player. Three basic sounds can be produced by the Djembe: bass, tone, and slap. By sitting up straight with your hands resting on the drum's playing surface, the wrists should remain flat in order to produce the genuine Djembe rhythm. Tones are rounded fuller sounds that are produced by striking the skin nearer the rim with flattened fingers. The slap is a high, acute sound and is produced from a similar position but this time with the fingers relaxed so that the fingertips briskly hit the head of the drum. Striking near the center with the palm produces a bass sound.

There are various places on line where you can buy these drums and the prices vary a lot from about £50 to a couple of hundred or so. There are dealers in the UK but you can also import direct from Africa. There is a long list on Ebay but be sure that you are buying an original instrument (if that’s what you want) and not just a pretty ornament. The Djembe drum is an exotic and ornamental intrument that can bring many hours of therapeutic pleasure.

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Summary: An exotic and ornamental intrument that can bring many hours of therapeutic pleasure