Why is the djembe drum used in African culture?
Africans say that the drum contains three spirits. The belief is that the djembe drum contains the spirit of the tree from which it was made, the spirit of the animal whose skin is played, and the spirit of the carver or the one who cut the tree and the people who assemble the drum.
Where in Africa did the djembe come from?
The djembe drum is most commonly associated with the Madinka people of West Africa. The djembe specifically originates out of Mali as far back as the 12th century. 4. The djembe drum is also known as the “Devil Drum” because it was traditionally made from hollow-out trees called Dimba, also known as “Devil Wood.”
How did African drumming start?
It is widely believed that the Djembe (pronounced JEM – Beh) has its origins with the “numu”, a social class of professional blacksmiths from the Mandinka (Maninke) people of western Africa in around 1300 AD.
How is African drumming passed?
The rhythms are not normally written down and are instead passed between people through aural tradition . The master drummer has the most elaborate part, leading the drum ensemble and playing solos. The leader directs the drummers with musical cues in the form of rhythm patterns.
What is African drumming?
Traditionally, the drum was the heartbeat, the soul of most African communities. In Western culture drumming is, most often, about entertainment. In Africa, drums hold a deeper, symbolic and historical significance. They herald political and social events attending ceremonies of birth, death and marriage.
When was the African drum banned?
In South Carolina in 1739, for example, drums were used as a call to arms at the outbreak of a violent slave rebellion. It prompted the colony to prohibit drums by law and to classify them as weapons.
What did the South African slaves have plenty of to use as drums?
Slavers were likely to lose up to one-half of their human ‘cargo’ during the middle passage. It was in their economic interests to keep the slaves alive and healthy. The Akan Drum was likely used in the practice known as ‘dancing the slaves’.