unfair trade djembe dealers

[Tom]

Hi Tom,

I really got up your nose there, so I will try to limit my one line random comments in future.... First of all of course I'm referring to external carving. As you are selling online the visual aspect is obviously important and its a beautiful art form in itself... Being from a small island we are rarely graced with with the likes of the masters you have mentioned and as such I am left to make the trek to Africa every second year or so when the funds are available, there I study with some great drummers who have not been 'lucky enough' to make it out of Africa. I agree with Duga the artists I come across are lucky to have a drum.. Last time I was there I witnessed a toubab trying to get his hands on drummers personal drum,,, he got it in the end for maybe $50 more than the normal price because the djembefola just couldn't turn down the cash... It makes me sick to think we can just rock up and take the best because we have the cash.. So yeah I haven't seen djembefolas with a 'fancy ass' drum because some white boy rocked up and bought it...

I meant to respond weeks ago but have been crazy busy.

I believe I get what you're saying, and I agree that there is a general lack of fairness with "western neo-colonial practices in francophone west Africa". I'd also say that there is a general lack of fairness within African society as well. It's a pretty big mess all around. I'd be interested in reasing your thesis once it is finished.

[Michel]

Hello all,

Any people with horrific stories about looking for good djembé's from Mali? I can hardly imagine that, besides stories about difficulties with finding trees....

[e2c]

To be honest I would rather have an active scene with some masters living in the locality than to go to Africa alot... I know its not like that everywhere in the states, but to be able to take a class once a week with a master would be great... I am just starting bringing over teachers or organising workshops myself.. We have babara bangoura on the weekend, but its hard to fill the workshop even with someone famous unless you open it up to any level.

I think most of the States are a big blank as far as teachers are concerned. I now have to drive 3-4 hours one way to get to a good lesson. (or 5, if i choose to go to NYC.)

So I really do hear you as far as wanting an active scene! A lot of us do, too.

[Djembe-nerd]

Big Blank...I am considering moving to Europe

[rachelnguyen]

Or RI, LOL.

We have several good teachers in New England.

About buying a drum in Mali- I probably wouldn't even attempt it without some professional help from a Malian friend (who ideally is a drummer too.) I tried to buy a dun dun bell in the market and the whole experience was rather distasteful. One of my friends finally picked one up for me and gave it to me for a fair price.

About being a toubab and coming home with your masters drum. Guilty as charged. But honestly, it wasn't in any way intended to take advantage of him. I wanted to buy his beautiful old beat up drum because I respected and loved him so much. I think he totally understood that.