Andres Espineira's List: Djembe

• The  In the Djembe creation process the shell would be carved in one piece, in  the shape of a goblet, with two open ends out of a significant section of a Djem  tree.   On the larger open end a animal (typically Goat) skin was then  stretched the top and secured by a special tightening process using rope.   The process hasn't changed too much today, except many djembes, such as the  LP Djembes use lugs rather than rope for tightening.  Nonetheless, more  traditional rope tuned Djembes  are still popular and are outstanding instruments.

• The drum rhythm or Diansa is  performed in the evening for most celebrations, example during full  moon, spring, summer and winter harvesting time, weddings, baptism,  honoring of mothers, immediately after Ramadaan (the month of fast for  all Muslim brothers and sisters) or other celebrations. Dancing is the  most popular form of entertainment and various rhythms and beats are  played on the djembe.
• Similar type celebrations and cultural rhythms are  applicable to Senegal as well as other regions of West Africa.

• said to have been inspired by the shape of the mortar and pestle.
• ts name was derived from the Djem, the Malian tree from which the drum's base is made
• Long ago, djembe drums were traditionally played at ceremonious occasions, e.g., weddings, baptisms, and birth celebrations. The playing of the djembe is always accompanied by dance.

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• Djembes were traditionally carved from hollowed out Dimba trees, the name of which means "Devil Wood.
• The drum head allowed the Malike people to communicate over long distances. Therefore, the djembe was an integral element in tribal language, connecting members in other areas.
  
• In Mali, djembes have been used in sacred rituals for more than a millennium.
• Djembefolas, or djembe players, lead the music for marriages, births and funerals, as well as for a number of seasonal ceremonies. Furthermore, medicine men used the djembe to calm their patients, believing that the djembe could heal the spirit.
  
• In female led groups, frame drums were used for worship of goddesses. Rituals were held at night, connecting the power of the moon and the lunar cycle with menstrual cycles. As a consequence of the relationship between these cycles, women felt closer to the spirit of the feminine divine. The drum is used in depictions of the moon goddess.

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