Djun-Djun

A cylindrical double-headed bass drum carved from a solid Dembu log. Found throughout South America and West Africa, these powerful drums are worn over the shoulder and played with two sticks: one for the thunderous bass, the other for a bell tied to the side of the drum. The djun-djun is the bass voice of drum ensembles and the rhythms are basic and simple in contrast to the more syncopated and complex rhythms of the djembe. Often the player also has a whistle with which to blow calls and breaks to dancers.