African drums occupy a special place in African history. Today, drumming is one important part of entertainment or to enhance the musical quality of a song or to provide greater revelry in a parade. The three greatest drummers of your time are: Charlie Watts, Clyde Stubblefield and John Bonham. Drums in Africa are not for the purpose of entertainment but rather as a symbol and has meaning in history.

 

The beating of the drums is the most common sounds heard in Africa as it is a part of every important ceremony of births, death or marriage accompanied by ritual dancers wearing symbolic African masks. To create strong passion in war and battle, drum beats sound wild and vicious.

 

Africa’s talking drums

 

Tribes used the drum like a telephone to send messages to distant tribes. It informs other tribes of meetings, warns them of dangers, and news of other important happenings. Imitating the pitch pattern of language, talking drums are heard over many miles.

 

A sacred drum was created in 500 A.D. for the purpose of: (1) ancestral worship; (2) warrior rituals; (3) healing ceremonies; (4) social dances; and (5) rites of passage for the dead. In many evening rituals, the rhythm of the drum is needed for spring, summer and winter harvests; evening celebrations and for celebrating rites following the Ramadan (Muslim’s month of fasting), wedding, baptism, honoring mothers, death  rites and countless other celebrations.

 

They made special drums as symbolic protection for their kings and are often kept in sacred dwellings.

 

Africa’s most popular drum

 

One of the most influential and basic of all the drums in Africa is the Djembe drum from the people of Mandinka people. Its origin can be traced to the great Mali Empire of the 12th century. It is called many names as lymbe, djenbe, sanbanyi and iembe. The djembe is made from a single piece of wood and shaped similar to goblet that is hollow all the way with a goat skin covering the top. Only the bare hands are used for playing. The modern world considered the djembe as extremely famous and is considered the most popular drum that has given inspiration for master drum makers found all over the world. 

 

The Africa drums

 

Drums throughout world history were used for many magical purposes. One is its power to put people under spiritual trances; drums were also attributed to possess great healing power and its presence provides the spirit to the music.

 

Maureen Warner-Lewis who is the author and professor of Caribbean languages in her lecture about Caribbean’s African Heritage stated that the drum is even the symbol of Africa itself. She looked at the drum as closely linked to African philosophy and with the world. 

 

Considered as the oldest world’s instrument, the African drum has an important place in societies worldwide; however, the way the drum is loved and used in Africa is starting another era. There are various kinds of drums Africa that are adopted all across the land. Drums give Africa scores of rhythmic sounds that it country is identified with.