The Djembe is a goblet-shaped single-headed drum. There appears to be no exact size which is considered standard as it now appears anywhere from monstrous instruments supported by stands down to drums that are tiny enough for a small child to carry easily. The standard shape is a deep bowl atop a slightly flared stem, although now the drum has appeared with certain variations such as the bowl having flat and angled sides variations such as the bowl having flat and angled sides instead of the normal curved shape. The drum head is usually made from goat hide and is traditionally secured using three metal rings and ropes and is tuned by a method called the Mali Weave.
The drums were apparently originally hand carved from a single log. Many Djembes are still produced in this way, but there are now other versions of this drum available. Some instruments are carved or cut from two pieces of wood – one larger for the bowl and one smaller for the stem. This reduces the amount of wood required. Some Djembes are now turned on a lathe, which significantly lowers the amount of labor required. Some are stave-built, requiring less wood yet. Others use plastic, fiberglass, or even aluminum for the shell instead of wood. Now, a large number of Djembes are available with synthetic heads instead of goat hide. Also, some of the modern instruments use tuning bolts instead of ropes.

What sets the Djembe apart from other ethnic percussion instruments are the remarkable sounds that can be produced when it is played well. There are three distinct tones available, and most people upon first hearing the drum played are astonished to find that such different sounds are possible from a single drum. Listening to an accomplished Djembe drummer can be a transforming experience.

This instrument can be heard in "Sister Awake", "Turn The Lamp Down Low", "Silence" and ohter songs.