Reading & Summary: The Amazing Djembe Drum

What is the djembe shaped like?

• A) A box

• B) A goblet

• C) A cylinder

• D) A cone

Read the passage below and answer the question: The name "djembe" actually comes from the Bambara people in Mali. They have a saying, "Anke djé, anke bé," which means "everyone gather together in peace". This saying really shows what the drum is all about – bringing people together. The word "djé" means "gather," and "bé" means "peace". What does the word "djembe" mean?

• Dance and sing

• Gather and peace

• Drum and music

• Loud and soft

What material is the drumhead of a djembe usually made from?

• Goatskin

• Plastic

• Cowhide

• Metal

How do you make different sounds on a djembe?

• By hitting different parts of the drum with your hands.

• By blowing air into the drum.

• By shaking the drum like a maraca.

• By pressing keys on the side of the drum.

The djembe is used in West African culture in which two ways?

• For ceremonies and storytelling

• For cooking and farming

• For fishing and hunting

• For building and painting

Why is the djembe important to African Americans?

• It helps them reconnect with their culture and history and remember traditions lost during the slave trade.

• It is used only for modern music performances in America.

• It is a symbol of wealth and power in African American communities.

• It is primarily played during sporting events.

Fill in the blank: The djembe is a ______-shaped drum from West Africa played by hand.

• goblet

• cylinder

• box

• cone

What does the djembe's name mean?

• Dance together in joy

• Gather together in peace

• Play together in harmony

• Sing together in unity

Fill in the blank: The djembe makes different sounds and connects people to their ______ and community.

• culture

• weather

• food

• music

Fill in the blank: A ______ is a goblet-shaped drum from West Africa played with bare hands.

• djembe

• tabla

• bongo

• conga