1. What is a djembe?
Tell me like I'm an alien
The djembe ('jem-beh') is a musical instrument from West Africa.
It is part of a group of instruments called membranophones, or drums.
It is made of a hollow wooden body, with skin fastened over the top.
The skin is traditionally rawhide, such as goat or cow skin. Modern djembes often use synthetic skins. The skin is tightly stretched over the shell using metal rings and rope.
The tightly stretched skin creates a sound when it is struck.
You play it by hitting it with your hands and fingers.
The drum is usually played in groups, consisting of other djembes, bass drums (called dunun, dun dun or djun djun) and percussion such as shakers and bells. It is often accompanied by dancing.
An average djembe is around 55-65cm in height (22-25 inches), with a diameter of 30-36cm (12-14 inches). They weight between 9-12 kgs (20-26 lbs).
2. What does the djembe drum sound like?
The djembe is full of energy. Traditional West African music and songs are fast and lively.
Here's an audio sample:
0:00 - 0:07 - Single drum 1
0:07 - 0:18 - Single drum 2
0:18 - 0:28 - Djembe ensemble with percussion and bass drums.
On the djembe there are three basic notes - the bass, tone and slap. The bass is the lowest pitch, the tone is in the middle register and the slap is the highest pitch.
The djembe is easily recognisable and is one of the loudest African drums. The tighter the skin, the louder the drum.
3. How is the sound produced?
Membranophones create sound from the vibration of a membrane, or skin.
When the drum is struck the skin reverberates and the shape of the hollow drum acts as amplifier. The sound is projected out of the bottom of the shell.
The notes are achieved by striking the drum in different places and with different parts of the hand.
There are many other types of African drums, most of which use the principle of a vibrating membrane.
4. Djembe pronunciation
Here's how to say the word djembe:
djembe (/’ʒɛmbə/)
The 'd' is silent.
It is pronounced 'jem-beh'.
Jem - as in 'gemstone'
Beh - like the beginning of 'bed'
The first syllable is emphasized (as with many African languages) - 'jem-beh'.
For the full article on this, check out djembe pronunciation and etymology (where the word comes from).
5. Djembe History
The drum of a thousand voices
The djembe has its origins with the Maninke people of West Africa around the 1300 AD.
The drum has a rich and colorful history, a tapestry of oral tradition recounted by generations of musicians and story tellers.
Traditionally, the drum is more than just an instrument of entertainment. Songs and rhythms played on the drum are representative of events in the community, past and present, and a record for future generations.
Are Only Certain People Allowed To Play The Djembe?
In West Africa, the griot, or storyteller, is a title only bestowed on certain groups, or castes of the population. Only those with certain surnames (such as Diabaté, or Susu) can claim to be a true griot. The griots were part of the king's entourage, singing his theme tune, if you will.
However, djembefola, or djembe players are not restricted in this way. Djembefola were regular citizens who often had other jobs within the society, such as farmer or labourer.
For more on the history of the djembe, see the full article on djembe history.
We made this photo look old with computers. Amazing what you can do these days.
Over the last 50 years, the drum has exploded in popularity across the globe and it's impact has been felt beyond just the world music scene.
6. How To Play The Djembe
Learning to play the djembe is both very easy and very difficult.
The Easy
It's a basic instrument to understand, and easy to play a simple rhythm. You can learn enough technique in minutes to get by and enjoy yourself.
The Difficult
A true master of the instrument proves it takes a lifetime to produce outstanding results.
For more see our complete and FREE course on how to play djembe.
The Three Essential Djembe Sounds
The djembe creates three fundamental sounds that every player must master: bass, tone, and slap. Each sound requires a different hand position and striking technique.
Bass (Low-pitched Sound)
The bass sound is produced by striking the center of the drumhead with your full palm and fingers together. Use a relaxed, heavy hand motion and allow your hand to bounce off the skin immediately after contact. This creates the djembe's deepest, most resonant tone.
Tone (Medium-pitched Sound)
The tone is played near the edge of the drumhead using your fingertips and the base of your palm. Strike with a firm but relaxed hand, allowing the natural weight of your arm to drive the motion. This produces a clear, ringing sound that cuts through other instruments.
Slap (High-pitched Sound)
The slap is the most challenging technique, creating a sharp, cracking sound. Position your relaxed fingers near the rim and snap them against the drumhead using a quick wrist motion. The key is complete finger relaxation – tension will muffle the sound. Each player develops their unique slap through practice and experimentation.
7. A Traditional Djembe Ensemble
A typical ensemble contains one soloist, one or two accompanying djembe and from one to three dundun players. It is often accompanied by dancers and hand clapping.
The Dunun (Dun dun, Doun doun)
The bass drums, or dundun, are usually played with sticks and provide the core structure of the rhythm.
The djembe accompanists each play different rhythms alongside the bass drum to complete the basic song. The soloist introduces the song, accents the beats, controls the tempo and plays solo pieces over the rhythm provided.
There are 3 types of bass drum that range in size and pitch.
They are the:
- Doundounba (or Dundun), the largest
- Sangban, the middle-sized drum
- Kenkeni, the smallest of the three
Modern Djembe
Today, many West Africans live outside of their home countries, in Europe, America and beyond, either performing or as teachers.
This thriving industry, along with the export of djembe drums, has created an sizeable market outside of the traditional setting.
There is now a generation of players worldwide who play everything from traditional djembe to rock, pop, fusion, jazz, and dance music. The djembe truly has broken the world music barrier. Justin Bieber even has one. And you know what, he was pretty good on it.
8. Types of Djembe
There are two main types of djembe - traditional, hand made wooden drums and modern djembe drums (whether wood or other material.
TRADITIONAL HAND MADE DJEMBES
These are the most common type and have been made in Africa for centuries. The shell is a single piece of solid hardwood that has been carved out. The shell is chiselled and sanded to a smooth finish. Skin is then attached to the head of the drum using rope and metal rings.
You then hand-tighten it to a playable pitch.
CONTEMPORARY MACHINE MADE DJEMBES
When djembes became widely popular in the 1990s, instrument manufacturers came out with several mass produced drums as an alternative to handmade djembes.
Materials include wood, fiberglass or a wood composite. Fiberglass is a viable alternative to wood because it is lightweight compared to wood but still strong enough.
In some drums, tuning lugs are used instead of rope to secure and tighten the skin over the drum shell. This makes tuning the drum easier. The skin is often a synthetic material.
Well known brand names include Remo, Toca, Latin Percussion and Meinl. Materials used in the manufacture have come a long way and their weight and ease of tuning makes them a popular choice.
For more, see our guide on how to buy a djembe.
9. Styles of music
Over the last 50 years, the djembe has exploded in popularity across the globe, and has made a considerable impact on the world music scene.
Today it has been incorporated into popular West African music by artists like Youssou N'Dour, Salif Keita and Baaba Maal.
A few Western artists also feature the instrument, such as Paul Simon, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper and Jason Mraz.
Salif Keita and djembe player
10. Djembefola: The Masters of Djembe
A djembefola is a master djembe player – literally meaning "djembe person" in the Mandinka language. These virtuoso musicians are the keepers of West African rhythmic traditions, passing down centuries-old patterns, techniques, and cultural knowledge through generations.
The most revered djembefolas have elevated the instrument from village ceremonies to international concert stages. Legends like Mamady Keïta, Soungalo Coulibaly, and Famoudou Konaté are considered among the greatest masters who ever lived. Each brought their unique style and deep cultural understanding to the djembe, inspiring countless students worldwide.
These masters didn't just play rhythms – they embodied the spiritual and social significance of djembe music within Mandinka society. Their playing demonstrated the profound connection between rhythm, dance, and community celebration that defines authentic West African percussion.
Djembefola Mamady Keita
For an in-depth exploration of these influential musicians and their contributions to djembe music, read our comprehensive guide to djembe masters and their music.
To experience true djembefola mastery, listen to Mamady Keïta's album "Wassolon" – a essential recording that captures the essence of traditional Guinean djembe music and showcases why he's considered one of the greatest djembefolas of all time.
11. Construction of a Djembe
HOW IT IS PUT TOGETHER
A traditional hand-made djembe is made up of 4 parts:
- A wood shell, usually hand carved
- 3 metal rings (2 large, 1 small)
- 3 lengths of rope
- A drum skin
The metal rings grip the skin in place over the top of the wooden shell. The rope is used to tighten the skin and make the drum playable.
Like so:
The skin is held in place by the two rings, using the mechanism shown below:
The drum skin is commonly goat. Cow skin and antelope can also be used. Mass produced djembes usually feature synthetic skins.
Thinner skins seem to be easier for small hands and beginners or intermediate drummers. Thicker skins are more difficult to play and would suit more advanced players.
12. Djembe Tuning
The djembe skin can be tightened to raise the pitch and produce more sound. It's fairly easy to do.
See the complete article on how to tune a djembe.
13. Djembe Reskinning
If the skin on the djembe breaks or becomes damaged, it can be replaced with some effort.
For a detailed guide on the process, see how to reskin a djembe.
14. Djembe MAINTENANCE
A djembe doesn't need much maintenance, but there are a few things you'll want to know to prevent damage to the skin or drum. Check out our complete guide to djembe maintenance.
Also see:
- Djembe Care - How Not to Treat Your Drum - Avoid common mistakes that damage drums
- Dealing with Sore Hands - Prevent and treat drumming-related hand pain
15. Further Reading And Resources
Ready to dive deeper into the world of djembe drumming? Explore our comprehensive collection of guides, tutorials, and expert insights to take your playing to the next level.
Learning Resources
Master the fundamentals and expand your knowledge with our educational content:
- Learn to Play the Djembe - Discover how to make beautiful music with the drum
- Djembe Maintenance Guide - Keep your drum in perfect condition with proper care techniques
- What is a Drum Circle? - Learn about the communal spirit of group drumming
- Traveling with Your Djembe - Essential tips for taking your drum on the road
Buying Guides
Make informed decisions with our expert purchasing advice:
- 10 Tips for Buying a Djembe - Essential criteria for choosing your perfect drum
- Best Djembe Drums in 2025 - Top-rated instruments for every level and budget
- Best Djembe for Kids - Parent's guide to choosing the right drum for children
- How to Buy a Djembe for an Experienced Player - Advanced considerations for serious drummers
History & Culture
Connect with the rich traditions behind the djembe:
- Djembe History - Explore the ancient origins and cultural journey of the djembe
- Best Djembe Music - 8 Masters You Should Know - Discover legendary djembefolas and their iconic recordings
- Remembering Mamady Keïta - Tribute to one of djembe's greatest masters
- Rare African Drumming Photos - Historical images showcasing djembe traditions
Gear Reviews
Find the best accessories and equipment:
- Gear Reviews - Comprehensive reviews of djembe accessories
- Best Djembe Bag - Protect your drum with quality carrying cases
- Best Djembe Stand - Ergonomic solutions for comfortable playing
- Best Djembe Books - Essential reading for djembe enthusiasts
Whether you're just starting your djembe journey or looking to refine your advanced techniques, these resources provide the knowledge and guidance you need to become a confident, skilled djembe player.
