African Drums :: Click a Drum to Learn More
Real African Drums Hand-Carved in West Africa.
At Africa Heartwood Project, our motto is “Fighting Poverty One Drum at a Time”. Our goal is to connect our network of talented artisans from West Africa with the gifted musicians of the rest of the world, in order to enhance sustainable livelihoods, foster cross-cultural exchange, and promote peace through drumming . We have had selected the drum sizes and designs that we feel capture the best available for the given price range. Please feel free to review our selection of drums and other products. All are available for purchase online by several vendors and may be available at a store local to you.
Frame Drums
Talking Drums
Top Selling African Drums
There are many different types of African Drums, including those that we carry here. The most popular and versatile drum is the African Djembe Drum. Because of its shape and construction, it provides a wide range of sounds and tones. Below are listed more details about the djembe drums and the different types that we work with Cultural Artisans to import from West Africa.
Most Popular African Drums
The Classic Heartwood Djembe Drum
Our most popular drums is the Classic Heartwood Djembe. The Classic Heartwood Djembe drum is a well-built, musical-grade instrument, built for the beginner or intermediate djembe drummer at an affordable price point. This djembe would be a good choice for the drummer intending to take lessons or study djembe technique, who needs a drum that can deliver proper sound and playing response, at a budget price.
- Price: Starts as low as $69.95
- Sizes: Available in 8 sizes with varying designs
- Skills Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Availability: In Stores and Online (Free Shipping available)
- Materials: Made from renewable and recycled materials in West Africa
Drum Circle Djembe
The Drum Circle Djembe by Africa Heartwood Project is designed to offer a budget drum for the beginner drummer whose priority is to get a playable djembe for the lowest possible price. These are real djembes, handcarved in Ghana, and are suitable for a drummer who is interested in recreational rhythm making. These drums are typical of what you would find at an open-air market in Ghana, are likely the type of drum-souvenir most tourists take home with them after a holiday in Africa, and is an improvement on most drums exported from Indonesia. They tend to look exotic but lack some of the quality details that finer djembes built for technical drumming have. The 11″x22″ size is slightly smaller than full-size, and is suitable for more petite adult drummers, most women, and upper-elementary to middle school age students.
- Price: Starts as low as $149.95
- Sizes: Available in 5 sizes with varying designs
- Skills Level: Beginner / Student
- Availability: In Stores and Online (Free Shipping available)
- Materials: Made from renewable and recycled materials in West Africa
Paragon Ivory Coast Djembe
Our Ivory Coast djembe is custom carved to our specifications outside of Bamako. This 13-inch Ivory Coast Iroko wood djembe is standard full-size for most adult men, suited for students and advanced drummers ages 14 and up. Our highly-experienced carver uses traditional methods to create a professional quality shell using solid Iroko wood. The proportions are exact, the shell is of uniform thickness, the bowl is rounded inside and out, and the bearing edge is gently curved for optimal sound quality. Our Ivory Coast djembes are among the best djembes being exported from the country, with the proportions and carving of the shell being highly acclaimed by many professional djembe players in the US. By many importer standards, this djembe would be Professional grade.
- Price: Starts as low as $249.95
- Sizes: Available in 4 sizes with varying designs, and custom drums also available!
- Skills Level: Advanced
- Availability: In Stores and Online (Free Shipping available)
- Materials: Made from renewable and recycled materials in West Africa
Paragon Mali Djembe
Our Mali Pro Djembe selection represents some of the finest African-built djembes available anywhere. Typically drums of this quality are carved in Mali, then finished (skin, rings, rope, etc..) in the US. But our Malis are imported direct from the builders as complete drums, leaving more value-added with the African artisans. The wood selection, materials, and craftsmanship on carving and fixing are according to our precise feedback over a long partnership with our African artisans, all resulting in a superb sound response right out of the box. If you are looking for a high-end, professional grade djembe, but don’t want to pay $500-$650 for a djembe custom built in the US, our Mali Pro Djembe will fit the bill. These are the best African-built djembes we offer, and we guarantee you be more than satisfied! From the heart of the culture that gave us the djembe!
- Price: Starts as low as $349.95
- Sizes: Available in 4 sizes with varying designs, and custom drums also available!
- Skills Level: Advanced / Professional
- Availability: In Stores and Online (Free Shipping available)
- Materials: Made from renewable and recycled materials in West Africa
