African Drum Making Workshops

Create Your Own African Djembe Drum under the guidance of a Master Craftsman

About our Drum Making Workshops

Super Mande Percussion – African Drumming Academy & Performance offers workshops in how to make and skin your own djembe drum.

In our drum making workshops, you will learn how to make an authentic West African djembe drum under the guidance of Master Craftsman Mady Keita.  The drum you make is yours to keep for life.  

Choose your own drum shell from traditional woods played by Master Drummers throughout Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea and Ghana.  Pick a skin, your preference in ropes and you can learn all the steps in how to make and skin your djembe drum from the top.

All drums shells, rings, fabric, ropes, tools and equipment are provided.  The only thing you need to bring is comfortable workwear and a readiness to learn some new skills.  No prior experience is necessary.

  Request a Free Info Pack here:

Benefits of Joining a Drum Making Workshop

• Develop a range of new practical and hands-on skills.

• Meet like-minded drum lovers in a small and friendly group setting.

• Learn the authentic way from a Master Craftsman.

• Choose your own drum shell and materials.

• Understand how to maintain and tune your drum.

• Enjoy music and stories about life in Mali along the way.

A Bit About Mady Keita

Educated in Mali, Mady Keita has been making Djembe and Dounoun drums for over 30 years and is renowned as one of Australia's finest Djembe and Dounoun craftsmen. 

Each Djembe is carved from a portioned log of African hardwood traditionally used to make Djembe, then carved into a 'goblet' shape.

All of Mady’s drums are assembled with materials of the highest quality. His experience is reflected in beautifully finished and even more importantly, wonderfully sounding traditional West African drums.

See The Drum Craftsman for more information. 

Next Available Drum Making Workshop

All of our drum making workshops are held at:

• Super Mande Percussion
• Shop 10, 655 Mountain Highway
• Bayswater

Our next workshop will be held on the weekend of 18-19 January 2025.

Pay only the price of your drum, no extra fee for the workshop.  Lay-by options available.

Enquire using the form below for more information.

What Others Are Saying

• "Such a privilege to learn how this ancient instrument is made. Mady is the real deal, authentic drum maker. I love my drum and it has helped me to progress with my journey" (Carl M.)
• "Making my drum with Madi was the most wonderful and profound experience ....he is such a master craftsman and Djembe player, he has wonderful stories to share about the drums and their origin....we shared some time drumming which was such an honor .....best thing I have ever done ....love my Djembe....thanks Madi" (Barbara P.)
• "I had a wonderful time at Super Mande Percussion's drum making workshop a few weeks back. I learnt that Mady is not only an master drumming teacher but he is also a very talented master djembe maker and coffee maker. I learnt the art of drum making under Mady's expert guidance and I am so happy with the end result.  Mady goes the extra mile and provides the best 'made with love' coffee and the workshop ended with a brilliant drumming lesson.  If you're looking for a quality djembe, do this workshop. You will get experiential learning and a beautiful master djembe to take home! Thanks Mady x" (Karen C.)
• "OMGoodness!!!  thank you so much for enabling me to created such a wonderful instrument and for the experience of doing so, with Madys story telling and singing the drum has some powerful magik
  she is beautiful inside and out i have recommended Mady and the workshop to friends and will continue to do so" (Jools G.)
• "I strongly recommend Mady Keita, should anyone wish to make a Djembe. He is very knowledgeable in the art of crafting African drums. I took a ‘one-on-one’ Djembe making course with him. The final product is worth much more than what you can get in a shop and he also gives free introductory lessons. The environment is very casual and relaxed. Mady is very patient, helpful, and pays attention to detail. I walked away as a very satisfied customer. I would also highly recommend Mady, should you need to ‘re-skin’ a drum. He does more than just re-skin. In the process, he checks for any defects in the drum and repairs them (e.g. fills up cracks) and replaces parts, if required, (e.g. strings, rings etc.), at no extra costs. I was there to witness it. Very impressed by the pride and care he took to restore the drums. Do yourself a favor, check him out!" (Henry C.)
• "What a delightful experience it was to deal with Mady. Extremely polite and demonstrated and extensive knowledge in his field. Thank you for the great service!" (Steamatic Australia)
• "Having skinned hundreds of Djembe’s myself but I have to say Mady is the true master without a question." (George P.)
• "Exceeded my expectations. I had the best 2 days at Super Mande Percussion making my djembe drum. Mady is a true Artisan and his instruction was clear which allowed me to do a lot of the component parts to make my drum. Conversations, meeting other like minded people was a true blessing and bonus! I think I need lots and lots of practice to make music though :-) baby steps!  Thank you Mady and Sophie"" (Maggie N.)

Receive a Free Info Pack

Want to learn more about how you can make your dream drum from scratch?

For a free Info Pack on our drum making workshops, simply fill out the form below and let us know if you have any other comments or queries in the message box.