Djembe - Concordia College

Djembe
With the creation of a new publication comes the necessity of deciding on a name. In 2010
we settled on Djembe, a word with an important and multicultural significance which also
has been the name of previous Concordia publications. The word djembe comes initially
from Bamanankan, a language originating in Mali, West Africa, meaning “everyone gather
together.” A drum shares the same name. Drums are found in cultures all over the world,
serving a variety of purposes such as the performance of music, the call to war, and the
initiation of a community gathering.
This publication aims to replicate these actions. By using “Djembe” as our title, we aim
to create a place for members of the Concordia community, faculty and students alike, to
bring a variety of cultures and backgrounds together in one meeting place. The articles’
purposes vary widely, some seeking to provide an explanation of one culture by one of its
members, while others may be an account of a culture with which the author is unfamiliar.
It may even be a call to action, an attempt to advocate for potentially overlooked issues.
Now in its third year, the cover of Djembe is graced by the Earth. It serves as a reminder
that this is our planet, and regardless of how many thousands of miles and differences
separate our cities, cultures, and peoples, Earth binds us all. The articles featured in
Djembe are a call for connection, a reminder that though we may look different, sound
different, and come from different places, this planet is our home.
-2012 Djembe Team
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