3 Best Djembe Drums You Can Buy Online

Updated: August 23rd, 2022

Djembe drums are traditional sacred drums from West Africa. But they are quickly becoming popular as percussion drums with a ringing voice that can act as a solo instrument in modern bands.

While djembes traditionally need to be made specifically for the users, many players outside of West Africa are looking for more accessible and affordable instruments. While they do exist, they are not always easy to find, as there are plenty of “djembe-style” drums out there that look a lot like the Djembe but don’t produce the same sound.

That’s why we have come up with this list of genuine djembe-style drums that you can buy online. Our buying guide will also help you distinguish the genuine instrument from the knock-off. Read on for our complete guide to the djembe.

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Origins Of The Djembe Drum

The djembe drum is one of the most popular musical instruments to have come out of West Africa. The drum is often used in community gatherings, with the name of the drum itself meaning (“dje”) gather and (“be”) together.

The djembe was probably developed around 400-800 years ago by the Mande people of the Malian empire, which covered modern-day Senegal, southern Mauritania, Mali, northern Burkina Faso, western Niger, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, the Ivory Coast, and northern Ghana.

Traditionally carved from a single piece of African hardwood, it is a goblet-shaped drum with an animal skin drumhead. Since the instrument was sacred, offerings had to be made to the trees that were cut down. Each drum was custom-made for the player, who would have been a male member of the Djeli caste, responsible for music and oral history. The drum was also traditionally made with the animal hide of a gebraffe, a zebra-giraffe hybrid.

Players believe that the drum is inhabited by three spirits: the spirit of the tree from which it was made, the spirit of the animal whose skin is played, and the spirit of the carver who created the drum.

Djembe can produce a wide range of sounds and are also loud, making them versatile instruments that can be played on their own or in conjunction with other instruments, but stand out as a solo “voice” in the band.

Best Djembe Drums

While, ideally, you should have your djembe specially made for you by an expert craftsman, those wanting to learn to play this versatile instrument can order one online. However, you do need to be careful to distinguish between genuine djembe drums and smaller ornamental drums simply designed to look like a djembe.

You shouldn’t go wrong if you choose one of the three below.

Meinl Percussion African Style  Rope Tuned Djembe – Best Affordable

If you are looking for an affordable djembe that is still of good quality, this option from Meinl is probably your top choice. It uses a traditional design with a Mali-weave tuning system. It also comes with a good-quality carry bag included.

• Mahogany wood
• Goatskin drumhead
• 24 inches tall
• 12-inch drumhead
• 15 pounds

The drum itself is made from a single piece of mahogany wood, and the drumhead from goatskin. It is around the standard size for a djembe, measuring 24 inches tall and 12 inches in diameter. The patterns on the mahogany shell are not just attractive; they also help create a richer sound.

This is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a genuine djembe drum rather than a cheaper imitation, but is buying within a budget.

Remo Mondo Djembe Drum – Best Modern Alternative

This is a more modern interpretation of the djembe made from artificial materials. Nevertheless, it had been carefully designed to produce the same great quality sound that you would expect from a traditional djembe.

• Acousticon shell
• Mundo Skyndeep Fiberskyn drumhead
• 24 inches tall
• 14-inch drumhead

While this option has a 14-inch drumhead, you can also get other sizes. The drum shell is made from multiple thin plies of 100% recycled wood fiber materials, laminated under pressure into a solitary tubular structure. It is then impregnated with resin to resist moisture, and coated inside for better tone quality.

The drumhead is made by combining one ply of 10-mil film laminated to a 3-mil polyspun fiber, resulting in a soft and sensitive skin ideal for hand drums. The drum then uses twist tuners rather than the traditional djembe rope tuners.

This is a modern and durable instrument for players interested in the best possible sound, but are less tied to the tradition of the djembe.

X8 Drums Stallion Professional Djembe – Best Traditional Djembe

If you want a traditional djembe drum made from high-quality materials, this option from X8 drums is a good choice. While it is not inexpensive, it is one of the few options out there that is genuine djembe size and made from natural materials.

• Mahogany wood
• Goatskin drumhead
• 25.5 inches tall
• 13.5-inch drumhead
• 18 pounds

The drum itself is carved from a single piece of mahogany wood and is on the larger side at 25.5 inches tall. The unbleached goatskin drumhead is a traditional 13.5 inches in diameter. The head is held in place and tuned with traditional rope fastenings. The sound it produces is spectacular thanks to rough surface carvings on the interior of the bowl that reduce overtones.

This is a professional level djembe for anyone looking for a genuine, traditional instrument that they can master over a lifetime.

Djembe Buying Guide

There are some great djembes out there, but also cheap rip-offs that look a lot like a Djembe but won’t produce a great sound. How can you tell the difference? Look out for the following.

Size

The djembe is traditionally 23-25 inches tall and has a drumhead diameter of 12-15 inches, though they can be larger or smaller. If the drum is significantly smaller, it is probably not a genuine djembe but something designed to be ornamental rather than played.

Material

Traditional djembes should be made from a single hardwood, such as mahogany, and a real animal hide, most often goatskin. If these features aren’t specifically listed, then you probably aren’t looking at a genuine djembe.

There are exceptions. For example, Remo makes a good djembe drum from artificial materials. In this case, consider the reliability of the brand. Are they known for making quality percussion instruments?

Tuning

The head of a djembe should be secured using a series of ropes, which can be tightened or loosened to tune the instrument. If the instrument is not tunable, then it is not a genuine djembe. If you go with a djembe made from artificial materials, like the Remo already discussed, it may have an alternative tuning system.

Price

You should expect a real djembe drum to set you back at least $300. If it costs much less than that, you need to be asking yourself why. This is a sure sign that it is made from inferior materials and probably won’t produce the sound you are looking for.

Interested in Cajun drums? Read our guide here. Or check out our guide to the best bongo drums here.

FAQs

Who is the most famous djembe drummer?

There are a few well-known and well-respected djembe players including Mamady Keita, Famoudou Konate, Adama Drame, Abdoulaye Diakite, and Soungalo Coulibaly.

Can I play djembe with sticks?

Djembe drums are not designed to be played with sticks. You can make different sounds on the drum depending on where you hit and the shape that you make with your hand.

What are the three notes you can make on a djembe?

The three notes that you can play on a djembe are a bass, a tone, and a slap. You can produce other tones by combining these. The bass is the lowest tone and is played in the middle, while the tone is played near the rim.

The Verdict

A genuine djembe is a deceptively simple instrument that can take a lifetime to properly master. It is a great standout solo instrument in a band, when in the hands of the right player.

Unless you are buying directly from the artisan, finding a decent “real” djembe can be challenging. There are a lot of look-a-like instruments out there that are designed more for decoration than playing. But if you follow the details in our guide, you could be able to find a genuine djembe that is worth playing.

Do you play the djembe? Share your thoughts and experiences with the community in the comments section below.