djembe precaution (Unity Drum, in Cape Coast, Ghana)

A djembe is a skin-covered hand drum shaped like a large goblet and meant to be played with bare hands. According to the Bamana people in Mali, the name of the djembe comes directly from the saying “Anke dje, anke be“ which literally translates to “everyone gather together“ and defines the drum’s purpose. In the Bambara language, “Dje“ is the verb for “gather“ and “be“ translates as “everyone“.