GUINEA: Makers and masters of a traditional drum, the djembe, cash in on its popularity in Guinea

Record ID: 453924

  • Title: GUINEA: Makers and masters of a traditional drum, the djembe, cash in on its popularity in Guinea
  • Date: 15th June 2007
  • Summary: (AD1) CONAKRY, GUINEA (RECENT) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (French) SAIDOU DIOUBATE, DIRECTOR, GUINEAN NATIONAL CULTURE, SAYING: "Many young people who are unemployed know that by making and playing the djembe, they can find their niche. This is what's been happening in Conakry. As you've seen, on every street corner, there's a little workshop."
  • Embargoed: 30th June 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Guinea
  • Country: Guinea
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Industry
  • Reuters ID: LVA75L33KY6DG0SAHZJLRUA8NZ2S
  • Story Text: In the Kaloum district of Conakry, Guinea's capital, the rhythms of djembe drums fill the air.
    This group of men have been playing together for nearly ten years, some gave up school when they were 12 years old so that they could play full time.
    "Today, even my parents want me to keep playing, because it's a job that brings you a lot - a lot of happiness," said Keita Morgaye, a djembe drummer.
    Djembe players earn a good living from anywhere between five to ten US dollars each, for performances at local hotels. In a country where there's high unemployment and few opportunities, that's a sizeable income.
    From January this year, there have been on and off strikes and protests, with thousands of frustrated workers and unionists taking to the streets and demanding the president's resignation, accusing him of mismanaging the economy.
    Guinea is rich in minerals but it's ranked one of the most corrupt in Africa and most people here live in poverty. The strikes ended in violence and to date, no real economic reforms have been made.
    Djembe drums are providing a living for young people who can make or play them.
    "Many young people who are unemployed know that by making and playing the djembe, they can find their niche. This is what's been happening in Conakry. As you've seen, on every street corner, there's a little workshop," said Saidou Dioubate, the director of the Guinean National Culture department.
    Amidst stiff competition, Mohamed Souma has made a name for himself in the city as one of the best djembe drum makers in the business. Like Keita, Souma left school early to pursue his passion.
    "When I was at school, I'd come here every weekend. One time I just sat down, took one of the djembes - a little one - and I started to decorate it, I put on a star. My brother looked at it and asked me; did you do that? And I said; yes, it was me. He said; you've got to take the other 5 djembes and draw on them too," Souma said.
    The djembe originated in West Africa and is made from a single piece of hard wood. The wood is mostly sourced from outside Conakry, though Souma said he likes to grow his own supply in his compound.
    The sound and notes of the djembe vary according to the wood and the shape hollowed out of it.
    "Afterwards you put an animal skin over the top and stretch it and tie it down. You then leave it in the sun for 3 or 4 days and tighten it again to get the sound," explains Souma.
    The artwork is almost as important as the drum itself - it is one of many factors that dictate the price of the djembe.
    "The quality of the wood varies, and there are small djembes, medium and large sizes. The small ones you can sell for about 8 US dollars, the mediums for about 20 dollars and the big ones up to 70 dollars," Souma said.
    Souma exports the djembes he makes all over the world as well as selling them to tourists.
    While Guinea's economy recovers, young entrepreneurs like Souma will need to draw on their own talent and passions to forge a career for themselves, in a country where job opportunities are still rare.
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