Jebebara - The Bamana Djembe

Abdouli Diakite | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 2001)
• Original Release Date: June 20, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• ASIN: B00005NHDG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,061,328 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Abdouli Diakite was born December 15, 1950 in Tambacounda, Senegal. He is a member of the Bamana ethnic group from Mali. Abdouli Began drumming at the age of 7 years old. He loved to drum. He was blessed to play the djembe by his spirit Kaba. His teacher was Suncaru Jara from Baninko, Mali. Abdouli wishes to thank the masters who taught him: Suncaru Jara, Dugufana Tarawele, and Komi Sankare.

In 1966 Abdouli played at a festival in Tambacounda. The Ballet National du Senegal was there looking for a djembe player who sounded like or knew Dugufana Tarawele. The found Abdouli. They recruited him to the National Ballet in 1968. He was the lead djembe soloist for the next 18 years.

JebeBara is the ancient name for what is now know as the djembe drum. JebeBara means “unity drum” in Bamana. The djembe is a drum that brings people together. One must have an open heart in order to be a master djembe player.

The Bamana people are a subset of the Malinke who resisted modernization and missionary efforts. The Bamana have chosen to keep their ancient African beliefs and practices. The djembe originated in the Wosolo region of Mali 3000 years ago. Abdouli Diakite comes from a Bamana lineage of djembe masters whose origin can be traced back 3000 years to the first djembe player – Numuni Tarawele.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb! This CD makes djembe into an artform., August 7, 2001

By 

Jim Brehmer (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jebebara - The Bamana Djembe (Audio CD)

Incredible documentation of traditional djembe drumming the way the old masters used to play(some continue to play this way to this day). I really enjoyed this CD and I am looking forward to further releases through rootsyrecords.com. Thank You!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic!, August 10, 2001

By 

Gail Herrick (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jebebara - The Bamana Djembe (Audio CD)

I have never heard a djembe CD like this before! I was getting bored with djembe CDs, they all sounded the same. This CD is unique and very special. I recommend it to everyone who is serious about traditional djembe.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Djembe Djamsession, April 15, 2004

By 

mzungu wa ndekeli (North American Subcontinent) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jebebara - The Bamana Djembe (Audio CD)

This is the type of recording that we sorely miss here in the States. Its clean, clear, raw emotion from the mother country. No Eno dubs, no Phil Spector sound, no Tony Visconti dance beat. Its beautiful, soulful and real.

Mimi nilipendelea kusafiri kokote ulimwenguni. Nilisafiri nchini nyingi kama Afrika Mashariki, Marekani, Mexico, Ulaya, India na Pakistan, China, Korea na Asia Kusini Mashariki n.k. Nilitembelea mijini kutafuta vitu na kuzungumza na wananchi huko. Watu wowote wanatofautiana na tena kulingana nao, nilivyofundishwa nao. Kama dini gani wangeamini, nyumbani gani wangeishi, tunaweza kuwa marafiki zao ikiwa tunataka kuwa