BaraGnouma (baragnoumadotcom - Reverb won't let me put in the full URLs!) produce beautiful instruments in Burkina Faso, handmade by their craftsmen. I bought this djembe direct from them in 2015. Their range has gradually evolved but in size, materials and look, this is most close to their current 'No 184' drum (£440+VAT+delivery).
It's been carefully kept - away from sources of damp, heat and out of direct sun and with its cap in place. It's almost never been used and so is virtually 'as new' in most respects.
The only flaw is a split within the carved area of the foot, I think caused by the nails used to attach the original rubber foot protection, which I've shown in three of the images. It doesn't affect the sound or the integrity of the drum.
It's a lovely thing; deep bass, tuneful, with an almost metallic 'slap'. The wood is dark red, and the drum - carved out of a single peice of wood - is not smooth and perfectly formed but shows the rough chiselling done by hand. The carved foot is interrupted by a knot at one point. The skin is the original hide, in perfect 'as new' condition, with the hair still in place around the whole of the edge of the skin. The wood is either linke or balafon (I'm afraid I can't remember which). The rope is original - unmarked and without flaws and the foot is protected by use of a handcut, recycled tyre rubber. The cap is made for the drum and is a perfect fit.
It's not a 'decorative' drum; it's a proper instrument meant to be played and since I have other instruments, my wife has wisely suggested that this, among others, should be passed along.
DELIVERY: It's 64cm tall and 34cm head diameter, and weighs 10.5kgs - heavy compared to other djembes of similar size - the result of the thickness and density of the wood, so couriering would be expensive, I imagine, but if you are happy to arrange and pay for a courier to pick up, I will package it up for transport. Payment would have to be cleared before it can be picked up by a courier. No exceptions. Alternatively, I can deliver for free ONLY within 10 miles of Fleet, Farnborough, Staines or Camborne, or within 5 miles of the A303.
If you have any questions, get in touch.
BaraGnouma have many videos on Youtube. The one I've linked tells you exactly what this instrument sounds like.
