Djembe

Hello there. My name is Djembe. I am a happy drum with a big, booming voice. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. I have a strong body made from a special tree, and my top is made of soft animal skin. I love it when people tap on my skin top to make music. I was born a very, very long time ago in a warm, sunny place called West Africa. It was so long ago, I can hardly remember.

The wonderful Mandinka people made me. They were so clever. Way back in the 12th century, they found a perfect piece of wood and carved my round shape. They gave me my voice by stretching a special skin over my top. They pulled it very, very tight with ropes that crisscross all around my body. My name means "everyone gather together in peace," and that's just what I was made for. I was so excited to help everyone come together and be friends. My job was to make a happy sound so everyone would know it was time to gather.

My sound is like a happy heartbeat for the whole village. BOOM-ba-BOOM. People dance when they hear my rhythm. They sing songs and tell exciting stories to my beat. I love making music for everyone. Now, my happy sound has traveled all over the big, wide world. You can hear my voice in many different countries. I feel so proud that my beat still brings people together. My music makes them smile, dance, and feel full of joy. My heartbeat is for everyone.