Mandinka Drumming

Mandinka drumming is primarily found in the African country of Gambia. Drummers who play Mandinka drums are part of a drumming troop. These drummers are usually young men. They learn their practice by apprenticing underneath another Mandinka drummer. Therefore, the only ones able to play drums must a professional at their craft. Jali is the name for musicians of the rest of Africa. Mandinka drummers are not Jali's because their jobs in society revolve mainly around entertainment. Jali's are known for their courtly, aristocracy, and historic entertainment: on the other hand, Mandinka drummers are primarily focused on seeing the society is thoroughly entertained. Another difference between Jali's and Mandinka drummers is their view on drumming as a whole. As the name implies, Mandinka drummers believe that the tradition of apprenticeship of other Mandinka drummers is highly important in becoming a skilled drummer. However, Jali's believe that drumming is "a somewhat frivolous or undignified occupation" (Knight 27). Another interesting fact about about Mandinka drummers is that they are constantly traveling. They travel from city to city to entertain the society that comes in contact with them. Furthermore, Mandinka drummers have a very interesting style of drumming. Everywhere you go in Gambia there are different cultures. It is very visible when you try to distinguish between tribes. "Every tribe have moor then three rhythms and all this rhythms have there own dancing and singing" (Njai).

Mandinka drummers have 3 different size drums. There are two small drums that play the simplest patterns and one large drum that is played by the leader of the troupe. Kutiriba and Kutrindingo are the two small drums. They are generally given to beginning Mandinka drummers because they have the simplest patterns. Saboro is the name of the larger drum played by the most experienced drummer. To play these drums the drummers use a system where the left hand beats the drum while the right hand uses a stick. There are four main ways of drumming and they are given a word to indicate what it means. Kun means an open strike with the hand; this makes a resonating sound. Ba means the fingers of the left hand beat the drum; this makes a damped sound. Din means the right hand strikes the drum with a stick making a resonating sound. While Da does mean the right strikes the drum just as a Din would, but Da makes a dampened sound.

This is a video showing the use of two Kutiribas. You may notice their resemblance to a djembe.

Here is an example of a larger troupe playing. Take note of the whistle blower and how his drum differs from everyone else's. Singing and drumming are involved as well.