Djembe Essay Blog

My best friends have come through associations within my studies of the djembe. I have met so many wonderful people since I have started drumming. It seems to me that the type of person drawn to the djembe usually has a lot in common with me in many other ways and in many other interests. Often times, if I and one of my djembe friends reflect on our past interests there tends to be a huge overlap. I hear the same list of interests over and over again. Here is a sample of some of the interests that tend to be common to those interested in djembe drumming or dancing: Eastern Religion/Spirituality, Herbal Medicine, Astrology, World Music, New Wave/Punk/Hardcore Music (interest from past), skateboarding (from the past), didgeridoo, liberal politics and this list can go on and on. It really tells me that a particular type of open minded person tends to be interested in the djembe and its culture.

My teacher told me that all the djembe players in Tambacounda used to hang out together. Most of the time they hung out at my teacher’s compound. Anytime my teacher’s teacher was looking for a drummer for a ceremony or event he could usually find them all hanging out with Abdoulaye at his compound. Abdoulaye told me many nights they would all sleep on the floor in one room. They would just hang out until they were too tired and then simply crash on the floor together. This is the power of comradery that the djembe brings.