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Tradition, culture and a respect for preserving the natural order of things are the best ingredients for promoting and sustaining a sense of unity in many parts of the world.

In West African culture, the djembe (pronounced jimbay) drum has been the historical recipe for fostering such cohesion.

The djembe, hand-carved from hardwood with a hollow center and a drumhead made of goatskin, has deep spiritual significance in the region, explained Tyehimba Kokayi, an ethnic studies major and president of the recently assembled West African Drum and Dance Club at Sacramento State.

The djembe, which is believe to have originated during the ninth century with the Malinke people of the Mali empire, was used for ritualistic ceremonies and for communicating long distances between villages, Kokayi said.

He said the idea of teaching W. African drum and dance is to share and preserve the values, beauty and splendor inherent in the culture.

“There are cultural values that lie in that drum; it was used to call the spirits,” said Kokayi.

He said in many ways people have lost their “africanity,” which has a built-in love and respect for life and community.

“The djembe stands for unity and heals the community,” Kokayi said.

The first club meeting, held on March 7 in Yosemite Hall, focused on the history of the drum and the intrinsic meaning behind various African dance movements.

He said he hopes to create a sense of “africanity” among Sac State students, which is something that is also missing in black American culture.

Kokayi said even black culture is a subset of American culture, with capitalist, individualist values.

“We’ve got Senegalese people coming over here, twisting their hats backward, thinking that’s the way to go,” Kokayi said.

Kokayi said students could learn from the strong focus of energy and cultural understanding that it takes to make the drum speak.

By teaching drum and dance, he hopes students will gain appreciation for African culture and understand the relevance of the values that the drum represents.

Kokayi also teaches hip-hop jazz dance, gymnastics, acrobatics, juggling, stilt walking and other circus arts.

Kokayi said the club is also mindful of safety, and each class begins with thorough stretching.

Classes are held 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Sherry Day can be reached at [email protected]