Protect your djembe for life with our following tips!

#1  The natural oils from your hands will condition the skin as you play. We don’t recommend the use of other conditioning agents as these can cause rot over time.

#2  A good bag will go a long way in protecting your djembe and preserving its skin, but be aware of the temperature conditions. If the bag is stored in a hot place it will act as a furnace.

#3  In Africa, drummers lean djembes on their side, so the wind and air can get into them and ventilate.

We lost a pioneer last month. Mamady Keita was a warm and giving teacher who made everyone feel welcome. A true patriot of Guinea and traditional West African music, he opened the doors to a new world for us – the global djembe community – which will continue to grow in his honour for years to come.

– Simon Fraser, Director

Image via Pan African Music

Exciting news!! Dance master Appiah Annan will be joining the teaching roster at our Spring retreat in October, alongside Bouba, Mohamed and Simon ☀️

Appiah will be sharing his invigorating dance with live drumming pumping in the background! We can’t wait! More teaching announcements to come soon.

Save your spot via our website! 😃

Feeling a little disconnected from both yourself and Mother Earth lately? Drumming has been proven to help people reconnect in very powerful ways. The beautiful Djembe dates back hundreds of years from West Africa, and the creation of these drums was a very spiritual process. It is said that the playing of these drums and creating a beat allows us to focus more internally. The beat helps our brains to slow down and reconnect with our own physical rhythm. It also helps us to tune into the rhythms of the earth and keeps us more grounded. Even playing the djembe with others can help us reconnect with our community and allow us to feel a stronger sense of belonging.

It is super easy for anyone to learn how to play the Djembe. Even a simple beat can have amazing effects on our health and wellbeing. Our drums are made with the utmost love and care, and the highest quality. They are all beautifully crafted, and when not being played make a great ornamental piece in your house.

Check out our range of Djembes now, and feel more connected to the rhythms of the universe!

Buying a new Djembe can be a daunting task. It is a big investment, both financially and towards developing your drumming skills. When it comes time to buy a djembe, there are a number of things to consider before you commit to your purchase! 

A big part of what makes a good djembe simply depends on your style and preference. There are a lot of good djembes out there; it’s just a matter of finding one (or two, or three!) that suit you.

Here is a list of 5 things we recommend you consider when choosing your djembe: 

1. The height and weight of the drum: Make sure you choose a drum size that compliments your body proportions. Too big/small or too light/heavy will make your drum harder to play. 
2. Thickness of the skin: This will depend on your level of playing. Beginners usually prefer a thinner skin, while the more advanced will go for a thicker skin. 
3. Comfort of the bearing edge: A smooth playing surface is a must for your djembe. Look out for smoothness of the edge, and any divots, dips or cracks around the edges. 
4. Aesthetic: Looks do matter! You need to like how your djembe is designed aesthetically, your going to be looking at it a lot. 
5. Quality of the Timber and Carving: Pay attention to both the quality of the timber the djembe is made out of, and the carvings within the wood. This can give clues as to the quality of the product.

Not all djembes were created equal! There are a lot of low-quality drums out there, made quickly and carelessly for unsuspecting tourists. Playing one of these can be very discouraging, because they sound awful no matter how well you play.  It is always best to get some advice from your teacher or a professional who can guide you to the right drum.

Finally, its all about the sound of your Djembe and the feeling you get when you play it. Don’t be afraid to give the drum a good play and see if it resonates with you. Remember too: “the drum will choose you”!

Check out our range of Djembs available online. 

These beautiful cane jinglers are also called ‘Woso Woso’! You wouldn’t know by looking at it, but these gorgeously handcrafted instruments make the most delightful percussive sound when you shake it. The woso woso is a type of caxixi, similar to the kiss kass, and acts as a great shaker to cut through any ensemble. These shakers are traditionally played to accompany drummers, and they are great as accent percussion. African Drumming’s cane jinglers are hand woven from elephant reed in the Bolgatanga region of Northern Ghana, and are filled with small bells which produce a bright, pleasant jingling sound. This simple yet beautiful instrument is just another example of how our talented West African artists use elepant grass to weave a variety of sustainable products. The woso woso is a great shaker to inspire rhythm in the young, and definitely durable enough for a young muso too!

Available now in the shop or online. Get yours here.

We are dedicated to giving back to our planet and ensuring our ventures are eco-friendly and sustainable. 

Our joint venture with Ghanaian NGO Denyigba sees the reforestation of hardwood mahogany: every time we sell an African drum, we plant and nurture a new hardwood tree to replace the wood used to build our djembes.
The number of saplings nurtured has now reached over 5000, with a further 5000 seeds purchased 💚

Learn more about our sustainability initiatives here
And follow Denyigba on Facebook here

Our favourite handbook has received a little re-vamp, offering insights, resources, tips and tricks. This 101 guide is your introduction to the world of West African music. Learn about the history, the drums and the ensemble.
Get your copy here

Introducing our brand new LP Matador series bongos. Ideal for musicians looking for traditional styling and professional-quality sound at an affordable price. These Wood Bongos feature Siam Oak shells, rawhide heads and traditional rims. Available in almond and gold.

Includes:
Siam Oak shells
 7-1/4″ and 8-5/8″ natural rawhide heads
 Traditional rims
 Matching conga set available
 5/16″ diameter tuning lugs, steel backing plate and plated cast aluminum bottoms
 Matching congas available
 Tuning wrench included

Check them out here

Spring is here and we’ve got a new collection of djembe cloth bags from Ghana to mark the season! Available in a wide variety of colours, these cloth bags are the perfect home for your djembe.

Featuring reinforced sewn straps, a padded lid and a draw-string closure.

Handmade in Ghana, West Africa.

Shop now

Our online Teacher Training courses will enable you with the tools, skills and resources to run your own African Drumming classes.

No prior musical experience necessary and courses are available via Zoom and are aligned with the Australian Government Schools Curriculum.

Level 1
Saturday 12th September 2020 9.30am – 3.30pm (AEST)
Level 2
Sunday 13th September 2020 9.30am – 3.30pm (AEST)
Level 3
Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th November 2020 9.30am – 3.30pm (AEST)

Register today 😀

Originating from Ghana and pronounced “us-la-twa,” the aslatua is played by holding and shaking one gourd in the palm while swinging the second gourd around. The simple and traditional percussive instruments are usually played in pairs (one in each hand) and are capable of producing complex polyrhythms.

We have two types of aslatua here at African Drumming
1. The master series, which is our premium aslatua. Filled with seeds and handmade with a thicker string for the traditional, rich and sandy sound.
2. The standard, which are filled with pebbles for a crisp, percussive sound.

View our aslatua range here

Our handpans, which are inspired by the traditional hang drum, are some of our most popular and prized instruments here at African Drumming. Played by hand, rather than sticks or mallets, the handpan drum has a rich, intimate sound, full of emotion and depth. There is no specific technique or style in the art of playing a handpan and a player with patience and an open mind will be rewarded with deep layers of complexity to explore. We have a range of handpans for sale in both the master and primo series range, available in different keys and prices. Also, if you’re looking for a complimentary instrument for yoga, pilates or a sound bath, the handpan is the perfect instrument for you as they are incredibly mediative and have proven calming effects.

View our handpan range here

Meet Yolanda. She’s a singer, songwriter who’s looking for more bass in her band, and so we hooked her up with a beautiful booming djembe from Ghana. She also picked up a huge XXXL calabash which will go down beautifully at her Kirtan events.

Check out her page here and get along to support more awesome local Melbourne artists.

View our Ghana djembe range here

View our Calabash here

Did you know that every drum purchase made at African Drumming goes towards the growth of a new sapling in Ghana, West Africa? That’s right! Every time you buy an African drum from us your purchase will help foster our forest regeneration project with our partners Denyigba Lorlor. Our friends have been busy these past few months nurturing mahogany trees to maturity and embarking on a new Coconut tree project. We’re so over the moon to hear that our project in Ghana is going so well!

Denyigba Lorlor also works with Dream Big Ghana, a similar minded NGO focused on improving sanitation and education in Ghana. 

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First time drummer Corrina came into the store last week and bought a djembe, a set of bongos AND a darbuka! Thanks so much for coming in Corrina, you’re in for a treat with all those instruments! ?

Shop our online store now.