• The Djembe is the most commonly used drum in African cultures.fleurs et djemb?? image by Anthony CALVO from Fotolia.com
  
  The continent of Africa is known for its rich history of drumming. Drums often carry with them a sacred importance. They are often played at important events and ceremonies, such as births, marriages, deaths and warrior rituals. The use of drumming in Africa can be traced back to hundreds of years ago, and it's still a popular form of communication and music today.
  
  

Djembe

• The Djembe is the most commonly used African drum. The head of the drum is made from goat skin and the body is made from the "djem" tree, which has dense wood. The drum dates back to at least 500 A.D. and was first found in West African countries such as Guinea, Senegal and Mali. It has been used for a number of purposes, some of which include healing ceremonies, warrior rituals and social dances. It is often played alongside other instruments, but the Djembe can be played by itself. It is capable of producing three different sounds.
  
  

Ngoma

• The Ngoma drum was created in the Eastern part of Africa, and is most commonly used in countries such as Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. The Ngoma plays a particularly important part of life in Uganda, where the drum is often used for communication and celebration. It also stands as a symbol of authority. The Ngoma is made out of a soft wood that is then completely covered with cow skin. Sometimes, goat skin is used instead. Ngoma drums come in all sizes, each of which produces different tones and sounds, from a loud sharp sound to a slapping sound. Ngoma drums are usually played by groups of drummers, often using up to seven drums in all.
  
  

Adowa

• Adowa drums originated in the central Ashanti region of Ghana, and come in different sizes that produce different sounds. The largest Adowa drum is the Fontomfrom drum, which makes a big bassy sound that can be heard from far away, while the Atumpan drum makes a mid-range sound and the Apentema produces a sound similar to a conga drum. All Adowa drums have heads made of cow skin of varying thickness. These drums are typically played with either hands or sticks. Their use varies depending on the culture, but they are most often used at community and regional events.