african carving Related Tip

African drums – Gold restaurant

The djembe has a great cultural heritage in Africa. Although similar in cultural use and significance too many countries and tribes on the African continent, it has minute but significant differences.

The Djembe is the drum of the Mandinka people, and its origins dates back to the great Mali Empire of the 12th century. Of all the African drums, the djembe has become extremely sought after in the Western world and is regarded as the most popular. This drum has inspired master drum makers now found all over the world.

The djembe is made in Mali. In and around the Kayes region. The drum rhythm or Diansa is performed in the evening for most celebrations, example during full moon, spring, summer and winter harvesting time, weddings, baptism, honouring of mothers, immediately after Ramadaan (the month of fast for all Muslim brothers and sisters) or other celebrations. Dancing is the most popular form of entertainment and various rhythms and beats are played on the djembe. Similar type celebrations and cultural rhythms are applicable to Senegal as well as other regions of West Africa.

African goatskins from Mali are the most suitable for covering the playing surface of a djembe, due to central Africa having the perfect climatic and grazing conditions for the goats. The skins therefore undoubtedly, provide the very best sound.

The Gold Restaurant has fast established itself as the authority on traditional African music. Synonymous with group drumming and interactive team building, we are also one of Southern Africa’s leading entertainment agencies. The Drum Cafe also facilitates product launches, fundraisers, awards, shows & road shows. Providing a unique, fun way to bring people together. We also specialise in African traditional, modern and fusion performances and entertainment – don’t miss the new Drumstruck live show. Create link on Drumstruck show.

Africa is the source of nearly all rhythms played today in the world. The drum beat in Africa is heard every day for communication, african carving celebration and fun. I do not aim to make professionals through my teaching; I only want to help you start a journey on the long and wide road of African percussion.

In my workshops, I bring authentic African culture with variety, it’s not all drum talk, I bring history, art and general awareness of life in Africa.

I aim to encourage participation and self-learning by exciting people’s imagination with as many visual and practical challenges as possible. Whatever I do has been learnt by imitation and that is what I try to pass on, to enhance people’s creativity.

Established in 1995 by Eddie Bunting, Drums and Rhythm is the fruit of over a decade of passion, motivation, enthusiasm and love. The seed was planted when he ate, breathed and lived drums and drumming, a pioneer for the djembe in South Africa. Many drumming roll players in this country know him as the “President of drums”.
All this skill and knowledge gave birth to Moropa Africa (African Drum), a small Drum shop selling a range of authentic African drums and percussion instruments from all over the continent, African arti-facts and art, selling African CD’s, a bamboo bar selling African filter coffee and 100% pure fruit juices, a drumming room and a workshop offering drum repairs and re skinning and its where the drums were also built.

Drums and Rhythm caters to a wide range of requirements, from corporate team building, motivational seminars and stress release, to product launches, performances, choreography to entertainment.

Drums and Rhythm offers Interactive Drumming, Gumboot Dancing, Traditional African Dancing, Belly Dancing and Fire Dancing for team building and motivation.

We also boast a wide range of top quality Dances, which include:  Gumboot theatre, Gumboot dancers, Salsa dancers, Belly dancers, Traditional African dancers, African Theatre, Zulu Warriors, UV Gumboot show, Fire dancers, Tribal Theatre.

As well as a wide range of World class performances, which include:  West African drummers, Samba drummers, Traditional South African drummers,  marimba bands, Afro-fusion bands, Reggae bands, Calypso bands, Bubaka Drum Ensemble, Contemporary bands, DJ’s, Comedians, Stilt walkers, Jugglers,  Samba Bands, Salsa  and African jazz bands.

To complete the package we can provide memorabilia drums branded with company logos, Djembe necklaces and key rings beaded in company colours and African artifacts for corporate gifts.

Not only are we the country’s foremost drumming company, we are also the largest importer and wholesaler of African drums and percussion instruments in Southern Africa. Drumming was part of our daily lives before the flame was found. Hundreds of drumming enthusiasts are taking the world by storm and they are not alone …Drums and Rhythm is dedicated to spreading the benefits of our Interactive Events as well as promoting the diversity and wealth of the South African culture.

One of the most ancient of musical instruments is the drum. Almost all cultures have used drums in some form or other. Drums in African culture are used to signify various rites and rituals and are not just for the sake of music. Thus, over the years, different types of drums have been evolved to produce different kinds of sounds to suit specific ceremonies or functions.

These drums are believed to have originated sometime around 500 AD from West Africa. Djembes are generally used during ancestral worship, healing ceremonies, warrior rituals, rites of passage and social dancing. The djembe is traditionally hand-carved from solid hardwood log. Goat skin is used to cover the shell and produce the sound unique to this drum.

These drums are known by various other names like dundun, atumpan, gangan, donno, tama, tamma, kalungu, doodo, odondo, dondo, lunar and lunna. These hourglass-shaped drums are called “talking drums” as they were used in ancient times to pass messages through different villages and communities. The drum is made from wood and animal hide attached together by leather cords.

The drum is supported under the left arm, while hitting on the skin with a bent stick produces the sounds. While beating the stick on the drumhead, the drummer squeezes the “waist” of the drum to produce different types of notes by changing the pitch. The tighter you squeeze the drum, the higher the pitch of the note. It is this language that was used to pass messages through the villages. The drums were also used to recite prayers and evoke blessings during many rituals.