Djembes are the lead instrument in a West African Drum Ensemble. Djembes can be found in all parts of Africa but are most common in the west of the continent. This drum is the one most assosiated with African drumming throughout the world.

Though you will undoubtedly hear simple Djembe patterns at any "Drum Circle" in the US, the Traditional Djembe rhythms and the technics to produce the correct sounds from the instrument require years of study. Babatundi Olatunji is generally credited with popularizing African Rhythm Ensembles in the US through his teachings and spreading the infectious rhythms to the main-stream populous.