What is the djembe used for?
Musicians use the djembe as the instrument of dance at marriages, baptisms, funerals, circumcisions and excisions. They also play songs during the ploughing, sowing and harvest, during courtship rituals and even to settle disputes among the men of the village.
How do you play djembe?
Traditionally the djembe is played with both hands as the drummer stands with the drum held between his legs. It is hung over the shoulder with a strap. In some cases the drummer sits on a stool behind the drum or the drum is placed horizontally on the ground and the drummer sits on the drum.
Where do djembes come from?
The djembe specifically originates out of Mali as far back as the 12th century. 4. The djembe drum is also known as the “Devil Drum” because it was traditionally made from hollow-out trees called Dimba, also known as “Devil Wood.”
What is another name for djembe?
In this page you can discover 8 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for djembe, like: balafon, djembes, bodhran, percussion, double-bass, dholak, bongo and mouth-organ.
Is djembe hard to learn?
The djembe is easy to learn, no matter the musical skill or ability of the person it sits before. From there, the drummer can learn a basic African djembe rhythm, like the Calypso, and then move on to more traditional djembe beats like the Kuku, Sunu or Kawa rhythms.
Can you sit on djembe?
Used for playing either sitting or standing. For this you will need a good strong strap with hook eye clips on either end. Take the strap around your waist and clip either end on to the lacing of the drum as shown.
What was the djembe first used for?
The djembe has been an integral part of spiritual and ritualistic life in West Africa for many generations. It was traditionally only played by griots, well respected high-class court musicians, who used it for story-telling: passing on important historical, religious and cultural information to future generations.
What does a djembe sound like?
The tone is a medium high-pitched, round, “matt” sound while slap is a high-pitched, open, sharp whiplash-like sound and bass is a low, round sound. The tone and slap are played on the edge of the drumhead, the bass in the centre….The tone, slap and bass.
| French | English | |
|---|---|---|
| bass | basse | bass |
Where did African drumming originate from?
Mali
Its Origins The djembe drum is said to have been invented in the 12th Century by the Mandinke tribe in what is now Mali, in West Africa. It has been played by West Africans for generations forming an integral part of ritualistic life in Mali, Guinea, Senegal and other neighbouring West African countries.
Who invented djembe?
Mandinke tribe
The djembe drum is said to have been invented in the 12th Century by the Mandinke tribe in what is now Mali, in West Africa. It has been played by West Africans for generations forming an integral part of ritualistic life in Mali, Guinea, Senegal and other neighbouring West African countries.
What is a good djembe?
A perfect djembe should have 3/16″ (4mm-5mm) rope that is round and not frayed. The djembe should be between 22.5″ to 25″ tall (we like 24.5″). A slightly round bearing edge that may be very sharp or curved for more comfort. 22 -28 or more loops on the top and bottom rings.