Djembe

A djembe carved all over, bowl and stem alike, a style that caught on in the 2000s; older drums kept the bowl plain and decorated only the stem. The goblet shell is hardwood, the head is goatskin, and the lattice of rope down the sides is what pulls the skin tight. Played with bare hands, one drum gives three basic sounds: a deep bass from the center, a ringing tone and a sharp slap near the edge. It is the lead voice of West African drum and dance music.