Purchasing a djembe that is made from legally harvested, sustainable wood help to protect our world's forests, assist in preserving and maintaining a well-balanced eco-system and help support local economies.

Unfortunately, many djembe drums that are being imported into this country, from West Africa, are made from wood that has been illegally harvested. Essentially what this means is the wood used to produce the shell of the djembe is being secured from illegal activity including cutting down trees in tropical rainforests without taking proper steps to safeguard the ecosystem and preserving the biodiversity. Unethical importers that practice this trade are doing so because of the economic benefit of purchasing wood that is far cheaper than purchasing wood that has been legally harvested.

The good news is that there are many certifications and processes that are in place to properly protect our forests and yet still benefit from their bounty.

Only purchase djembe drums that can prove a Government certification process of harvesting legal, sustainable wood from tree plantations. Ask to see a copy of the Government certificate if you want to know for sure. There are many cases where djembe importers have a CO-OP letter or Corperasi from the local area where they're harvesting trees however this is just Village documentation and not a real Government Certificate process. These village CO-OP letters are easily bought and copied and presented as legal documents to importers and because certain importers don't know, don't care or don't take to the time to properly research they're really bringing in illegal wood.

Get the facts before buying and ask questions. It's your buying decision that helps shape the world in which we live.

At X8 Drums we take great pride in the fact that our entire line of X8 djembe drums are produced using legal wood that is environmentally sustainable. Unfortunately we're in the minority as there are many more companies importing wood that is illegally harvested. A big incentive is cost. It's much cheaper to go into the world's forests and rip down trees illegally. It's actually about three times more expensive to secure wood that is legally harvested than wood that is taken illegally. To make matters worse there are no laws in this country that prevent importers from bringing in illegal wood. And many consumers are not educated on knowing the difference and demanding legal wood.

There are essentially two ways to help combat this worldwide epidemic. One is through education. We're trying to do our part by educating djembe buyers on the differences between legal and illegal timber through articles and blogs on the topic and making references to our sustainable djembe drums all throughout the product pages. The other and quicker way to help combat illegal logging is through Governmental policy. Setting laws in place that prevent companies from importing wood that is harvested illegally will swiftly help curb this major epidemic. We're definitely fans of policy that will help end deforestation through illegal logging.

You can image my surprise when today I received an e-mail from the Petition site discussing this very subject. Not only that but there's currently a bill on the Senate floor that will put an end to illegal logging. The Combat Illegal Logging Act of 2007 (S.1930), legislation would make it a crime in America to knowingly import, sell, buy or transport illegally sourced wood and wood products. Illegal logging makes life more difficult for millions who depend upon forests for meeting their most basic needs. Environmental degradation including soil erosion, desertification, and reduced agricultural productivity, and the ongoing struggle for resources all contribute to an unsound policy of allowing illegal wood to be brought into this country.

Vote on this Bill
Please help fight illegal logging by sending a message to your Senators today to support the Combat Illegal Logging Act of 2007 (S.1930)!

When shopping for wooden based products it's important, as a consumer, to know the source of the wood so you can make a more educated decision. By only purchasing wooden products that can prove a Government certification process and are made using legally certified sustainable timber can we together help protect our world's forests, assist in preserving and maintaining a well-balanced eco-system and help support local economies. Get the facts before buying and ask questions. It's your buying decision that helps shape the world in which we live!!

Link to the petition form: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/536283881

X8 Drums is introducing a new custom djembe this year that will only be available through X8Drums.com and our authorized dealers.

The carving was designed by yours truly and we're deciding on a name for the drum.

Any suggestions?