DVD: Djembe - From Trunk to Drum

[michi]

"Djembe - Vom Baumstamm zur Trommel" is a 1 hour and 35 minute documentary about djembe construction and history (in German), by Ursula Branscheid-Diebaté (Kandara Diebaté's wife). The title translates as "Djembe - From Log to Drum".

Djembe - Vom Baumstamm zur Trommel

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The description on the website translates as:

Main feature: In 46 minutes, we show the creating of a djembe in Senegal. Carving the log, preparing the lacing, the work of the blacksmith with iron rods, and the goats whose skins are used. We also show in detail how to fit a skin to a drum shell and how to shave the skin, so you can reproduce it if the need arises.

Sound samples: In 35 minutes, we present examples of other West African drums such as soruba, sabar, bougarabou, and talking drum as well as melodic instruments such as kora and bongoma. Detailed examples for the djembe include a traditional ballet, a party at a bar, and a traditional naming ceremony.

History: This section covers the history of West Africa up to the emergence of the djembe.

There is a trailer for the DVD that looks really promising:



Cheers,

Michi.

[FreekAce]

that looks really cool. dont have much use for my german nowadays but it does come in handy from time to time

[Waraba]

Does it come with English subtitles?

[michi]

No, I checked with Ursula, and they don't have a version with subtitles. She mentioned how expensive it would be to redo the sound for the DVD in English, so I suggested subtitling to her, which is a lot cheaper.

They may end up distributing the video in the US eventually. For now, you can order it directly from Ursula. There is also a double DVD of this documentary. It contains all of the material of the single DVD, plus more musical examples and interviews (70 minutes), the fabrication of a djembe out in the bush (28 minutes), and an instructional film (38 minutes).

Cheers,

Michi.

[Waraba]

I'd buy it if it had subtitles in English. I bet lots of folks would. I already learned something about reheading I didn't know from just the preview in German.

[michi]

I got the double-DVD version of this recently, and it is very nice indeed. The documentaries are well produced and interesting.

The extra material on the second DVD includes a djembe lesson for absolute beginners (which is well done, but not relevant if you've been playing for more than a few months). The lesson focuses on basics (posture, technique) and teaches the djembe parts for Djole and Soli. Each rhythm is shown as a performance by a full ensemble.

The extra documentary is also fun to watch, showing the entire process of making a djembe, from sacrificing a chicken and offering cola nuts before felling the tree, to the finished drum (strung up traditionally with twisted antelope hide instead of modern rope).

Overall, this is an excellent documentary, well worth buying. (Currently in German only, no subtitles.)

Cheers,

Michi.