Djembe The djembe is a West African drum that is believed to have come from the Malinke people in the Northeast of Guinea. The djembe migrated to the Mali empire in the 9th Century and is now found in Senegal and Ivory Coast. Covered in goat skin, the djembe's sharp bright sound and dynamic range of colours made it an ideal drum for healers, and storytellers, as well as accompanying dance, or for communicating between villages. The djembe has become the most popular African drum to be played outside of Africa, yet it is a very demanding instrument and there are few musicians who play it well. Country: Senegal / Ghana Region: West Africa Type: percussion
©  R. Raine-Reusch, May 2002