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It is a member of the membranophone generations of musical instruments: a frame or shard (in the djembe's case it is a shell) covered by a membrane or drumhead made Djembe of particular of many products, usually rawhide
- The djembe also has hardware rings, rope, and skin Djembes are commonly about 12" (30 cm) in diameter and 24" (60 cm) in height, varying a few inches
- They can also be found at many smaller sizes, from 5" (13 cm) up to 18" (46 cm) in diameter.
Properly manufactured drums are not smooth on the interior but have a procession of teardrop shaped divots inside that enhances the tonal qualities. The drumheads are en masse manufactured from goatskin, but more rarely can be antelope, zebra, deer, camel or calf. In all facts the female is preferred and adult cow is never used. In earlier times and still in some pastoral areas djembe were given to to send messages over long distances.
