Creation and Communication in a Djembe Drum
The African Djembe drum is a traditional instrument that is used for communication, healing, and the spiritual joy inspired by movement. A Djembe drum is an African percussion instrument which the player holds between their legs. A strap attached to the drum is placed around the musician’s neck to stabilize the instrument while being played. Some players choose to sit with the drum tilted slightly forward.
Today’s Djembe drum is fashioned out of wood from the Djem tree. The wood is carved into an hourglass shape in one piece using a method that has been carefully handed down through the generations. The method of creation is important since the artists believe that drums made from several pieces don’t have the soul of the tree in them. The soulful aspect of this instrument is essential to the musicians who use it. To complete the aesthetic and acoustic properties of the djembe drum goat, antelope, zebra, or calf skin is stretched over the top of the drum; this is referred to as “be” skin. The name “Djembe” is taken from the combination of the two words.
The drum is played with bare hands; part of the experience of playing a djembe drum is in the tactile nature of the experience. The thickness of the wood and the quality of the skin chosen to fashion it both affect the tone of the instrument when completed, and the feel experience by the musician.
The Djembe Drum as a Means of Communication
The Djembe drum was originally used as a way to send signals to other tribes since its sound could carry over great distances. In some cases, several drummers, working in a type of sound relay, would send important messages throughout the continent using this method.
A Healing Drum
The Djembe drum has been used as part of healing ceremonies for centuries. The sound of the Djembe drum is soothing to the spirit, and it is also known to inspire dance and movement. Modern people are rediscovering how comforting the rhythm of a Djembe drum can be; this instrument is being used at corporate team-building functions to bring harmony to the group. Playing the drum is also a great way to relieve stress – it can be argued that people have plenty of that these days. The combined beauty, intrinsic soulful feeling, and heart-pounding rhythm this djembe drum represents explains its continued popularity throughout the ages.
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