The djembe is a percussion instrument traditionally played by the Mandinka tribe of West Africa. It is carved out of a single piece of hollowed wood and covered with goatskin, tightly held in place by ropes.

It is traditionally used for important social occasions (weddings, circumcision etc.), with a distinctive rhythm in each case.

The djembe can produce several different sounds, depending on the way the hand is placed on the skin (tone, slap, bass, muffled).

In the 1980s the djembe captured the world’s attention, thanks to the great djembefola (djembe players) from the traditional African dance companies. Mamady Keita was the most famous of these, but there was also Amadou Kienou, Famoudou Konate, François Dembele and Adama Drame