The Cultural African Drum
The Cultural African Drum is said to contain three spirits: the spir
it of the tree, the spirit of the animal of which the drum head is made, and the spirit of the instrument maker. It is legend that the drum and the tree from which it is made was a gift from the God Djinn, the male counterpart to the more familiar Genie. Properly crafted djembe drums are carved in one single piece from hollowed out trees called Dimba, or Devil Wood. Drums made from slats or segments of wood glued together are considered by traditionalists to have no soul of the tree.
Properly made drums are not smooth on the interior but have a series of teardrop shaped divots inside that enhances the tonal qualities. The drumheads are typically made from goatskin, but more rarely can be antelope, zebra, deer or calf. In all cases the female is preferred and adult cow is never used. In earlier times and still in some rural areas djembe were used to send messages over long distances.
