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 the sound that African drums make Symbolise?
In much of Africa, drums are considered to symbolize and protect royalty , which often leads to their being housed in sacred dwellings. They can also be considered as a primitive telephone, since drums are also used to communicate with tribes that are miles and miles away.
What does djembe mean in Africa?
A djembe or jembe (/ˈdʒɛmbeɪ/ JEM-bay; from Malinke jembe [djẽbe], N'Ko: ߖߋ߲߰ߓߋ) is a rope-tuned skin-covered goblet drum played with bare hands , originally from West Africa.
What does the djembe represent?
Africans say that the drum contains three spirits. The belief is that the djembe drum contains the spirit of the tree from which it was made , the spirit of the animal whose skin is played, and the spirit of the carver or the one who cut the tree and the people who assemble the drum.
What is the most used drum in Africa?
The djembe is the most well-known African drum around the world.
What is the purpose of African drumming?
African hand drums are played to communicate, celebrate, mourn and inspire . They're played in times of peace and war, planting and harvesting, birth and death. Drums have been such a large part of Africans' daily experience for so long that drumming pulses throughout their collective unconscious. It's in their genes.
What is the spiritual meaning of drums?
Thus, in different cultures the drum is a sacred tool connecting heaven and earth , and for maintaining the rhythm of the world order. And when drummers practice their art, it's as if they too are changing the world and touching the human spirit through the rhythm of the drum.
What are the top 10 benefits of playing an African drum?
- Reduce Stress. Playing drums can relieve frustration, disappointment, and stress. ...
- Increase Academic Performance. ...
- Boost Brain Power. ...
- Develop Confidence. ...
- Improve Communication Skills. ...
- Be a Global Citizen. ...
- Make New Friends. ...
- Play Cool Instruments.
What are the three spirits of the djembe?
1. The term “djembe” originates from the Bambara saying “Anke djé, anke bé” which translates to “everyone gather together in peace.” 2. The djembe is said to consist of three spirits: the spirit of the tree from which it was made, the spirit of the animal whose skin covers the head, and the spirit of the drum maker.
What country does the conga come from?
Of Afro-Cuban origin, the conga is more widely known as a tumbadora, timba, or jícamo in Cuba . The conga player his or herself is referred to as a conguero or conguera. The conga is a narrow, single-head drum that comes in a variety of heights and diameters.
Who are famous djembe performers?
- Famoudou Konate. Our favorite album: ...
- Ladji Camara. Our favorite album: ...
- Mamady Keïta. Our favorite album: ...
- Adama Dramé Our favorite album: ...
- Abdoulaye Diakite. Our favorite album: ...
- Babatunde Olatunji. Our favorite album: ...
- Soungalo Coulibaly. Our favorite album: ...
- Bolokada Conde.
How much does a djembe cost?
Please. Current African djembe market prices are $299 – $1,000 We do carry less expensive djembe as well.
What are the main features of African drumming?
- polyrhythms are created by layering different rhythms together.
- dynamics are changed depending on the force with which the drum is hit.
- dynamics are not written down on a score – the leader signals changes in dynamics during the performance.
Did drums come from Africa?
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.
Why is polyrhythm important in African drumming?
It provides a ‘mixer', allowing you to mute and fade different drums in a complex rhythmic cycle . Polyrhythm (literally meaning ‘many rhythms') is the layering of a number of different rhythms. African rhythms are usually simple on their own, but when combined together they produce a complex, polyrhythmic texture.
