We recommend using good quality headphones for all our sound grabs they’re recorded at high fidelity for your listening pleasure!
Need more info or guidance? Get in touch with our team for personalised advice. We’re known for our quick replies!
Product Specifications
Thickness guide: African skins are calibrated differently than Australian goat skins. A medium Australian goat skin compares to a medium-thick or thick Mali goat skin
A quick guide to choosing the right skin:
- Thinner skins tend to be more responsive. Their sounds are higher and brighter. They are easier on the hands and more suited to new players.
- Medium skins are well balanced with warm tones and bright slaps.
- Thick skins are very rich and warm sounding. They take a little longer to play in, but once settled they have a very melodic quality.
Size Guide
Dimensions
As these are natural products sizes vary slightly.
Standard: 70 to 86cm in length. 50cm or more in width (Suitable for a single 15” djembe or medium shamanic drum).
X Large: 86cm+ in length.
60cm or more in width (Suitable for two 12” djembes (clean cut, not overlap), or one large Shamanic drum).
If for any reason you require extra wide skins, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
We always take extra care in choosing skins that are free from faults and will go the distance on your drum.
Please understand however that as a natural product from the wild, we can never pick up 100% of the inherent defects as they can be invisible to the naked eye.
Check out our skins warranty here, and scroll down to “Skins purchased from African Drumming”.
Shipping & Returns
We dispatch most orders on the same day and ship across Australia and worldwide. Metro deliveries in Australia usually arrive within 2–5 business days, and express options are available at checkout; regional and international timeframes depend on the destination. You’ll receive tracking details when your parcel is on its way.
Need to return your order? Let us know within seven days of delivery. Please keep the item unused and in its original condition. Full details are in our Shipping & Returns policy.
Reviews
FAQs
What’s the difference between Mali goat skins and Australian goat skins?
Mali goat drum skins are hand-shaved using traditional West African methods and produce drier, crisper tones with less “playing in” time needed.
Australian goat skins are processed with a salted solution for complete hair removal and come slightly pre-stretched, making them faster to mount and tune.
Mali skins are prized for solo djembe work, while Australian skins offer a hassle-free option for quick re-skinning projects. Both are full hides suitable for drum making.
Do Mali skins work for all drum types, or just djembes?
Mali goat skins work across various African drum types – djembes, dununs, bougarabous, ashikos, and more.
They’re particularly prized for solo djembe playing because of their dry, crisp tone and quick response. The hand-shaved processing gives them characteristics that complement traditional West African drumming styles.
Choose your thickness based on your drum’s shell size and depth – thinner for smaller drums, thicker for larger bass drums.
How long does delivery take, and where do you ship?
We ship across Australia and internationally. Most orders are dispatched on the same day, so you can expect a quick turnaround.
Delivery to metro areas in Australia usually takes 2–5 business days, with regional areas taking a little longer. We also offer express shipping options if you need your order sooner.
For international orders, delivery times depend on your location and the shipping option you choose at checkout.
You’ll receive tracking details once your order is on its way. You can find more information on shipping timeframes and options here, or feel free to contact us for help estimating delivery to your area.
