Zeng tries to impart a sense of rhythm to his students with the dejembe. Photo by Chen Wenli/China Daily

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."