djembes
Goblet-shaped hand drums
Djembes is the plural of djembe, a goblet-shaped drum from West Africa played with bare hands.
The instrument has a goatskin head stretched over a wooden shell and produces a wide range of tones—from deep bass to sharp slaps.
The djembes thundered during the ceremony.
Also spelled jembes.
Tanned caprine hide
- rawhideUntanned animal skin
- membraneThin tissue sheet
- shellHard outer covering
- bowlConcave food container
hardwood · carving · hollowed · rings · tuning · reskinning · shaving · mounting
Curved closed shape
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- jamCooked fruit spread
- sessionScheduled time for activity
- polyrhythmOverlapping musical beat patterns
bass tone · slap · tone · open · muted · solo · call and response · accompaniment
West African country
- SenegalWest African republic
- GuineaWest African coastal nation
- Ivory CoastWest African republic
- GhanaWest African republic
griot · kora · West African · talking drum
Formal event marking occasions
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
- harvestGathering mature crops
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
- rite of passageTransition-marking ceremony
ritual · dance · community · gathering · festival · procession · initiation · storytelling
goatskin
Tanned caprine hide
bowl · hardwood · carving · hollowed · rings · tuning · reskinning · shaving · mounting
circle
Curved closed shape
polyrhythm · bass tone · slap · tone · open · muted · solo · call and response · accompaniment · player
Mali
West African country
- SenegalWest African republic
- GuineaWest African coastal nation
- Ivory CoastWest African republic
Ghana · griot · kora · West African · talking drum
bass
Deep pitch or fish
signal · accompaniment · polyrhythm · pattern · groove · call
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
- harvestGathering mature crops
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
rite of passage · ritual · dance · community · gathering · festival · procession · initiation · storytelling · praise
djembessnare drums
Wired cylindrical percussion instruments
timpani · bass drums · taiko drums · drum kit · drum machines
djembesbongos
Joined pair of drums
congas · steel drums · taiko drums · taiko · timpani