The Sidiki Dembele Ensemble

Djembe virtuoso Sidiki Dembele leads his ensemble in an exploration of West African drumming rhythms. Following his spiritually-charged 2024 Festival appearance, Sidiki Dembele returns to The Hub - this time, with his ensemble including a singer and a dancer.

A virtuoso of the djembe, a West African goblet drum with a remarkable range of pitches, Dembele hails from a family of griots who preserve oral traditions. The name of the djembe derives from the phrase anke djé, anke bé’, which translates as everyone gather together in peace’ in the Bambara language.

Rooted in the djembe’s power to unite, this concert explores West African rhythms and sounds, honouring the community-driven essence of Dembele's heritage.