Form design WASSOULOU Percussions ? The soundboard (hand contact area) is rounded, which guarantees playing comfort, the barrel is perfectly balanced (geometry, constant thickness, weight).
The drums (shells, wooden body of the djembe) are selected and kiln-dried for very long periods, from 12 to 48 months depending on the model.
A finish worthy of "LUTHERY": After cutting, the barrels are coated with shea butter and stored. Once dried, they are polished and then waxed with natural beeswax. This treatment reveals the beauty of the wood's grain and gives it optimum protection. Depending on the model, the foot of the djembe is either simple, inlaid with cowries, or decorated with a very fine traditional artistic carving.
All these features, together with the quality of the mounting and tensioning of the skin, and the products used (wood, skin, strings), guarantee an authentic instrument with an exceptional sound.
WOOD:
Precious exotic Guéni species (Ptérocarpus érinaceus).
SKINS:
Selected goatskins (thick) of professional quality.
ROPE & IRONS:
Pre-stretched 100% Polyester ultra-strong 5 mm diameter halyard rope. 8 mm section tension system irons.
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT:
Diameter ~ from 33 to 35 cm Height ~ 60 to 63 cm Weight ~ 8 to 9 kg All Wassoulou instruments are handmade by specialized craftsmen in their Bamako workshop. Since 2001, Wassoulou has participated in all reforestation campaigns initiated by the Malian Ministry of the Environment.