Authentic Djembes from Africa

ID: 44240
Date: 2006-10-30 08:57:48

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Text: I am a lifelong drummer and lover of African drums and percussion. I sell authentic African djembes, drums and prercussion. I have djembes, bougarabou, goumbe, bells, shekeres and will soon have Kora and Balafon.

My djembes range from $160 for a medium sized djembe from Melina wood to $500 for a large djembe made from exotic African hardwood with gorgeous carvings.
Large 24x13 and 24x14 Melina wood djembes from Guinea with rubber protective bottom are in the $350 to $375 range. Large Ivory coast djembes are $250.
Every djembe is guaranteed by me to be top quality, unless you want a grade #2 drum with some blemishes for less. I also give you a warranty on the shell and head in the remote possibility that the goat skin head pops. I have goat skins, rope and whatever else is needed to fix a djembe.

Please scroll down to see a couple of my drums. The drum on the top is 25 x 14 inch djembe from Guinea made from Khari wood and the drum on the bottom is 25 x 13 inch made from Doukie wood. I also have Guinea djembes from Acajou, Lenque and Melina as well as Mali djembes from Khari and Dugura. These 'master' djembes have a rubber strip to protect the bottom of the djembe and also to prevent them sliding around when you tilt and play them.

Djembes are part of the Malinke culture of west Africa. Malinke people are found mainly in Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast, Gambia and Burkina Faso.

I currently have djembe from Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast and Ghana. Djembe drums from each of these countries is different in shape and sound. Personal preferences abound, but since I have djembes from each of these countries you get to pick the drum you like. I am happy to talk about the different djembes and drums and give you any advice you may need. Ghana is not a country with a tradition in djembes, though they have a very rich heritage in drumming, dance and percussion. There is a lot of djembe production in Ghana and though many djembes are tourist quality, there are some decent djembes to be had, especially for beginners or informal drummers. Of course there are excellent traditional Ghanaian drums being made there. For African drum classes or traditional Malinke rhythms I recommend a Guinea, Mali or Ivory Coast djembe.

Please check out some of my photo albums, many of my drums are still not photographed and in the albums, but it will give you an idea of what I have.

http://photos.yahoo.com/sfdjembeman

The problem for most people buying a djembe is knowing how to buy a good djembe. What to look for beyond the obvious, what a djembe should sound like and how it should be tuned. I can tune the djembe to a classical djembe sound, or change the tuning to suit your own preference. I will also tune the drum in the future for free, for as long as you have the djembe.

I am now satisfied that I can get you an excellent djembe for your money. I have djembes for a new or beginner drummer, a drum for a drum-circle and all the way up to 'master' djembes. If you want to take lessons in African drumming and need a drum that will be good enough to take to a class and not cost and arm and a leg I have that too. Many people buy inferior drums and go to a class and end up buying a real quality djembe after being told at the class that the drums is inferior.

I am in the south bay, but I can travel to meet you in the city or half way if you are further out. I bring a bunch of drums in the type, size and price range you are interested in for you to play and check out.

About Me and My Drums

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I am an African, third generation born and raised in central Africa. I have the love of Africa flowing through my veins and the rhythm of Africa beating in my heart.

I grew up in the bush and heard drumming since I was a baby and have played drums all my life. To me drumming is creating music, connecting with others, creating community and also a way of life. It is a spiritual path that keeps me centered and focused in life. Most of us know what it's like being 'in the zone' when we do something and are totally into it, be it running, pariticpating in a sport, riding a motorcycle, playing music or any other activity. IMHO drumming is one of the best ways to get into the zone and feel more alive. Drumming is part of spiritual traditions through out the world, from African, Indian and Native American drumming to the sacred art of Japanese Taiko drumming.

You don't have to think like me to buy a good drum from me. I guarantee I will never sell you a bad drum, I will never lie to you about the quality, origin or anything else about my drums. It is bad Karma and disrespectful to African culture that has given us these great gifts. This is a way of life for me .. a passion and a love of Africa its culture, people and music.

I am proud to support the excellent artisans who create the drums I sell. They are the descendants of the creators of these incredible instruments and by buying from them I help build cottage industries and create sustainable income. My drums are made by some of the best artisans and they are paid well, they and their families are taken care of even through the rainy season when no drums are being made.

Keep the beat,

Djembe Man

Nkosi Sikeleli Africa - God Bless Africa

"Rhythm is the soul of life.

The whole universe revolves in rhythm.

Everything and every human action revolves in rhythm."

Babatunde Olatunji

"Drumming unites the spiritual power of three living sources: the spirit of the

tree in the shell, the spirit of the goat in the drum head, and the spirit of

you, the drummer. This spiritual fusion during drumming is sacred and powerful.

Anyone who drums knows that drumming is a direct path to the soul."

Babatunde Olatunji