The Ecological Sustainability of Djembe

Djembe is a percussive instrument that is a goblet-shape drum that played with bare hand, particularly with fingers and palm to create different kinds of timbre. For the origin, the instrument started way back to the 1300 AD in West Africa, where the Maninke people played the instrument to celebrate festivals and events. 

 

It is made up of a hollow wood body, with skin fastened to the top. For the skin cover, cow or goat skin were mainly used in the past. For the outer part, metal rings and ropes were used to tighten up the skin, prevented the interior getting loosen. The average height of the djembe is around 55-65cm with a diameter of 30-36cm, the weight is around 9-12kg. In modern days, due to mass popularity and environmental issues, most djembe skins and shells nowadays are made up of synthetic materials, i.e., fiberglass were used as the materials are more common and convenient to use. Noticed the fiberglass can lower the weight of the instrument and provide a sturdier condition when playing. 

 

Look deeply into the manufacturing, the instrument consisted of several process in order to get it done, compare to other percussive instruments, the procedures are relatively simpler and straightforward, for instance, the traditional one involved wood cutting, carving, shaping and installing. For the traditional djembe, the most important part is to identify the best timber, as the sound is created due to the vibration of the drumhead membrane and the stimulation of the airspace inside, the shell will vibrate and reflect the soundwaves, a good choice of timber is crucial as each species will have a different sound projected, e.g., African rosewood, rubberwood are the most common one because of the distinct color of timbre and sound differences. On the other hand, modern djembe doesn’t have to concern the choice of timber, as it is made up of fiberglass, which is a fiber-plastic using glass fiber. First, the glass needed to be heated until molten, then forced through superfine holes, resin is added to give the fiberglass strength. As the modern one is extremely durable and much cheaper than the traditional one, for instance, a modern djembe only cost around $50-70 USD, however a traditional one might cost over $200 USD, as a result the former one is most common use one in today’s age. 

                 Modern(Synthetic) Djembe                     Traditional Djembe

 

I have found some ecological issues surrounding the instrument, especially the traditional one. First, the main problem is that the over-consumption of wood. As I have mentioned above, in order to get a good timbre, a suitable species of tree is needed and it requires logging, therefore, if the production is still going at a fast pace, there will cause the problem of deforestation and results in loss of biodiversity, especially in tropical forest and woodland. According to the Indonesian Department of Forestry, the deforestation rate is about 7 million acres per year, and the tropical forest has shrunk by 25% in the last 30 years.

 

On the other hand, for the modern djembe, the use of fiberglass seems a highly sustainable option to craft the instrument. Since the raw material used in the production is sand (silica), it is a naturally abundant, non-depleting and sustainable products. Comparing to logging, the manufacturing of fiberglass does less harm to the environment. Although it releases carbon dioxide during manufacturing, but the amount is small and make less carbon footprint than other materials, such as steels or aluminum. Besides, the source of resin is mainly from the refined crude oil, as a result, it is considered an eco-friendly product.

 

There are some ways to rectify the problem of over-consumption of wood in making traditional djembe, sustainability is the key to help the issue. First, about the usage of legal wood, which the origin and the species are well-documented and comply to all the laws and rules, this way can help the customer know the source of the wood and help maintain a balanced biodiversity. Besides, afforestation is also important, as more and more trees have been cut down to business, planting trees is crucial to balance the ecosystem and landscape, alleviate the problem of global warming. 

 

In my opinion, I think modern djembes are the best option, as the material is eco-friendly, sustainable and durable, although it cannot fully mimic the pure sound of the traditional one, but technology might help to improve the condition. The traditional one is also worth consider in terms of ecological sustainability, but only in the case when the timber is certified, well-documented, which can help preserve the precious forest. 

 

References:

Afrodrumming. (n.d.). Djembe- The Complete basic guide. Retrieved from https://afrodrumming.com/djembe/

 

Grosvenor, G. (2015). Djembe Art- the Tonewood makes the difference. Djembe Art Fine Drums. Retrieved from https://www.djembe-art.de/african-drums-wood.htm

 

Instructables Living. (n.d.). Build your own Djembe and end tables. Retrieved from https://www.instructables.com/Build-your-own-Djembe-and-End-Table/

 

Rinkesh. (n.d.). Is Fiberglass Recyclable?. Conserve Energy Future. Retrieved from https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/is-fiberglass-recyclable.php

 

X8 Drums. (n.d.). Earth Friendly Djembes. Retrieved from https://www.x8drums.com/v/earth-friendly-djembe.asp