One-of-a-Kind. Handcrafted. Wild at Heart.
Meet The Wolf — a fully custom djembe designed for a wolf sanctuary in Cape Town, South Africa. This isn’t your average djembe. It’s a bold fusion of African roots, hand-carved wood, leather artistry, and symbolic storytelling.
Built in Berkshire, UK and shaped by a team of skilled makers across Europe, The Wolf is a custom djembe that reflects not just rhythm, but identity.
🔥 What Makes This Custom Djembe Unique?
Every element of this drum is handcrafted, combining global collaboration with deep respect for djembe tradition:
Shell: Hand-carved mahogany from Konrad Bobul (Poland) – a master drum builder
- Drum Head: Irish goat skin by John Kelleher, carefully chosen for its tone and feel
- Ropework: Custom-wrapped in black and gold – symbolizing the wolf’s fierce eyes
- Belt: Full-grain leather, stitched and tooled by hand with Aztec patterns and custom 3D-printed stamps
- Button Detail: An antique wolf motif, anchoring the spirit of the instrument
This custom djembe blends West African tradition, South American symbolism, and UK craftsmanship. It's not just a drum — it’s a story you can hold.💬
Says the Maker, Al Paton:
“I know it’s not traditional. And that’s exactly the point. This djembe reflects diverse influences — it honours the past while embracing evolution. Instruments, like music grow and change continuously. ”
About the Maker
Al Paton, based in Berkshire, UK, builds and repair djembes by hand, blending traditional West African techniques with custom elements like leatherwork, symbolic design, and rope artistry.
He says: "Every drum I make reflects a mix of influences—from Southern African heritage to modern craftsmanship—created with care, intention, and a deep respect for the djembe’s roots."
Additional paintwork by Peter Woodbridge
Peter Woodbridge is a UK-based illustrator and artist. With a deep appreciation for symbolism and natural textures, Peter brought The Wolf to life with hand-painted detail, capturing the wild essence of the drum’s namesake in a way only he could.
🎨 Why Choose a Custom Djembe?
Whether you’re a drummer, a collector, or looking for a statement piece for your sanctuary, temple, studio or space — a bespoke djembe like The Wolf connects on a deeper level.
- Stand out from factory drums
- Reflect your values, roots or story
- Support independent artisans
- Own something truly one-of-a-kind
📦 Ready for Your Own Custom Djembe?
Commissions are open. Whether you're envisioning leatherwork, engraved shells, symbolic artwork or simply a djembe that reflects your spirit — let’s bring it to life.
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Get in touch to start your custom djembe journey
(Limited availability — each build takes time, care, and collaboration.)
GET GOOD ON THE DJEMBE
Download this free 5 minute audio training song for the djembe. It's a simple way to improve your playing and build confidence in your djembe skills.
- African rhythm - starts slow, gets faster
- Easy to play along to
- Simple exercise to push your limits
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