When shopping for a djembe drum it's important to consider the environmental ramifications of purchasing a djembe that uses illegal wood. Unfortunately, many djembe drums that are being imported into this country, from West Africa, are made from wood that has been illegally harvested. Essentially what this means is the wood used to produce the shell of the djembe is being secured from illegal activity including cutting down trees in tropical rainforests without taking proper steps to safeguard the ecosystem and preserving the biodiversity. Unethical importers that practice this trade are doing so because of the economic benefit of purchasing wood that is far cheaper than purchasing wood that has been legally harvested.

West African countries including Guinea, Senegal, and the Ivory Coast were once lush and extensive rainforests are now becoming a historical footnote. Gone to build ships, furniture, instruments, and supply minerals and gems to the West, the band of tropical forests that once extended from Guinea to Cameroon are virtually a memory. The loss of West Africa's rainforests has triggered a number of environmental problems that have contributed to social unrest and exacerbated poverty across the region.

Disappearing African Forests

According to data provided by the United Nations, today about 1.5% of West Africa has primary forest cover. In the past 15 years, more than 5400 square miles (1.4 million hectares), or 26 percent, of primary--or old growth--forest has disappeared from the region, leaving West Africa with somewhere between 11,600 and 15,400 square miles (3 and 4 million hectares) of such forest. Forest loss has made life more difficult for millions of West Africans who depend upon forests for meeting their most basic needs. Environmental degradation including soil erosion, desertification, and reduced agricultural productivity, and the ongoing struggle for resources has made the region one of the most unstable in the world!

What You Can Do to Help

Only purchase djembe drums that can prove a Government certification process of harvesting legal, sustainable wood from tree plantations. Ask to see a copy of the Government certificate if you want to know for sure. There are many cases where djembe importers have a CO-OP letter or Corperasi from the local area where they're harvesting trees however this is just Village documentation and not a real Government Certificate process. These village CO-OP letters are easily bought and copied and presented as legal documents to importers and because certain importers don't know, don't care or don't take to the time to properly research they're really bringing in illegal wood.

Also, stay away from African djembes that seem to be sold too cheaply! One of the primary reasons these drums are being sold cheaply is because they have been produced using illegally harvested wood. Djembes being manufactured in West African countries including Guinea, Senegal, and the Ivory Coast are largely suspect when their prices are low. There's no magic formula to produce cheap drums and still claim quality -- using illegal wood is most likely the culprit. Reputable manufacturers that use legal timber have to pay three times the amount for legal wood than illegal wood. That's why quality djembe drums that are made from legal, sustainable wood are more costly. It's basic economics. They cost more because they cost more to make.

We Can All Make A Difference

When shopping for a djembe drum it's important to know the source of the wood so you can make a more educated decision. Purchasing djembe drums that can prove a Government certification process and that are made from legally harvested, sustainable wood help protect our world's forests, assist in preserving and maintaining a well-balanced eco-system and help support local economies. Get the facts before buying and ask questions. It's your buying decision that helps shape the world in which we live.