A Chinese teacher brings djembe to students in Shenzhen, Lin Jing reports.

Watching a group of Chinese children playing the djembe, an African hand drum, in a park in Shenzhen is an uplifting experience. The ups and downs of the beat and the exotic rhythm produce a variety of sounds, presenting a vivid picture of Africa.

For Zeng Liming, the djembe teacher sitting among the children, the instrument is not just a spare-time activity but a lifelong choice.

"I find spiritual sustenance in teaching djembe, and have a lot of fun," says Zeng. The 50-year-old is believed to be the first professional teacher of the instrument in Shenzhen.

"It has opened a new chapter in my life."

Originating in West Africa, the djembe was first used for important gatherings and ceremonies. Dje means "gather" and be means "peace".

The goblet-shaped drum, a part of African culture for centuries, has gained popularity in China in recent years. Shenzhen, in addition to being home to a large contingent of djembe aficionados, also has many teachers of the instrument. Zeng moved there in 2006 and discovered the drum three years later.

Zeng, who has a master's degree in chemistry from Wuhan University, inherited his musical interest from his parents, both keen students of Chinese opera.

After buying his first djembe, he used online resources to teach himself.

In 2010, a djembe player from Africa was invited to teach the instrument in Shenzhen, and Zeng was one of his students. Within a year, his skills had surpassed those of most other players in Shenzhen and now he is said to be one of the top three players in the city.

"With the teacher's help, my djembe playing improved a lot. I then came up with the idea of starting a djembe class, not only to broaden the instrument's popularity, but also to encourage other players to become teachers."

He now runs a djembe shop and can often be seen and heard playing in front of the building. His classes are held at all levels, from beginner to advanced.

"In my first class, the African teacher told me that anyone, no matter where they come from or how old they are, can become a good djembe player relatively easily as long as they have good hands and are willing to learn."

Some of his friends take his classes in the park, and they play in a square nearby almost every day, attracting large audiences, he says.

"If someone is attracted by the sound and is brave enough to ask about learning to play, they are the students we are looking for."

As with all musical instruments, the key to mastering the djembe is practice, he says.

Luo Zihong, 10, who has studied with Zeng for about a year, says: "In addition to classes, I usually practice 10 to 20 minutes at home every day. With others, I can now play a complete song."

Luo first got to know the djembe when he lived in Egypt, where his father works, and took lessons. He lived there for three years and returns to the country during summer holidays.

"The instrument has a strong sense of rhythm, and it's not very difficult to learn. Although my hands are numb and hurt after 15 minutes' practice, I will keep playing the djembe," he says.

He has also begun to play the drum ensemble.

Nicole Luederitz from Germany is the only non-Chinese student in the class.

After graduating from Berlin University with a degree in Chinese studies, Luederitz came to China to continue studying at Wuhan University. In the summer of 2008, she came to Shenzhen and heard about the djembe class there.

"I have been interested in African culture ever since I was a child. I played the djembe in Berlin but never had systematic study. So I didn't want to miss this opportunity," she says.

She would love to go to Africa and play the djembe with other players there, she says.

After the interview, Luederitz carries a stool from Zeng's shop to the square, preparing for her class. Zeng and his students are all sitting in a circle under a tree.

"The main reason we play outside is that I want to take my students back to nature, especially the children who are obsessed with computers," Zeng says, adding that it is good for the players' ears and to get a breath of fresh air when they play the djembe outdoors.

Zeng says his job is to help his students pass the beginning level this year. Next year, he will switch to teaching an advanced class, and some of his experienced students will end up being teachers.

"I hope that in that way we can cultivate more djembe teachers and get more people to take lessons," he says.

Contact the writer at linjingcd@chinadaily.com.cn

Chen Wenli contributed to this story.

Zeng Liming leads his students in a drum circle in a square by Shenzhen's Nanshan Book City. Zeng is teaching children how to play the African hand drum known as the djembe. Chen Wenli / for China Daily

(China Daily 12/22/2013 page4)