A djembe (pronounced JEM-bay) also known as djimbe, jembe, jenbe, yembe or sanbanyi; is a skin-covered hand drum shaped like a large goblet and is meant to be played with bare hands. The djembe originated in West Africa, where it became an integral part of the area's music and tradition. As a result of the goblet shape, the density of the wood, the internal carvings, and the skin, there is a wide range of tones that can be produced by the djembe.

The djembe drum is a secular Mandé drum. It is found in all of West Africa where it is one of the most common instruments. There is general agreement that the origin of the djembe is associated with a class of Mandinka/Susu blacksmiths known as Numu. The wide dispersion of the djembe drums throughout West Africa may be due to Numu migrations dating from the first millennium A.D. Despite the associations of the djembe with the Numu, there does not appear to be hereditary restrictions upon who can play the djembe as occurs with some other African instruments.

The djembe is said to contain three spirits: the spirit of the tree, the spirit of the animal of which the drum head is made, and the spirit of the instrument maker. The djembe is also known as the magical drum, mushroom shaped drum, and the Devil Drum. It is legend that the djimbe and/or the tree from which it is created was a gift from a Djinn or malevolent demigod, male counterpart to the more familiar Genie.

Properly crafted djembe drums are carved in one single piece from hollowed out trees called Dimba, or Devil Wood. Drums made from slats or segments of wood glued together are considered by traditionalists to have no soul of the tree. Properly made drums are not smooth on the interior but have a series of teardrop shaped divots inside that enhances the tonal qualities. The drumheads are typically made from goatskin, but more rarely can be antelope, zebra, deer or calf. In all cases the female is preferred though an adult cow is never used.

In earlier times, and still in some rural areas, djembe were used to send messages over long distances. A master djembe player is referred to as a djembefola.