The most famous African drum, the Djembe, originated in 12th Century West Africa. Until the mid 20th century following the decolonisation of West Africa, the Djembe was only known in its original location. This was due to the limited travel of native West Africans outside their own ethnic communities and groups.

The djembe is the most common drum used in so-called African drumming ensembles in the UK, and is generally accepted to have originated in West Africa, specifically in the Malian Empire which spans parts of modern-day Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Gambia.