About Us
KOMA DRUM
Koma Drum is a partnership between the exceptionally talented carver Mohamed Kaleb Sylla, 25-year-veteran drum maker Tom Kondas, and some of the most talented artists in West Africa. They are experienced carvers and builders, dedicated advancing the art of drum making, and to improving the conditions of African artists. Over the years, their work and their innovations have set a new standard of quality, and with their new venture - Koma Drum - they continue to take the art of the djembe to the next level.
MISSION
Our mission is to be part of the solution, and to lead others to join us in that mission. Historically, the djembe business between West Africa and western countries has been based on unfair wages and conditions for African artists, but we have always rejected this model of business. Since 2003, we have offered the highest wages and best conditions available, while encouraging others to do the same. Our objective is to build sustainability, which we achieve through value-adding – i.e., increasing the value of our products by maintaining the highest level of quality. By continuously innovating and improving the carving, finishing, and build processes, we are able to provide instruments of unparalleled quality, while maintaining the highest wages and best working conditions for djembe making artists in Africa.
MOHAMED KALEB SYLLA
In 2008, I was riding in a taxi through the streets of Conakry, Guinea. As we sped past an outdoor market which had countless drums, masks, and statues on display, one carving clearly stood out and caught my eye. I asked the driver to stop the car, and upon closer inspection I was amazed at the level of detail and quality of workmanship . There was inspiration in the design, and the craftsmanship was unmatched by anything I had seen, so I decided I would find the carver responsible. It took me two years and much effort to finally track him down, and when he first came to our workshop, he stunned everyone with a level of craftsmanship we had not imagined possible. We have worked together since that time, and over the past several years Mohamed has become internationally recognized as the most talented and sought-after carver in the drum business, with his unique, innovative style and the creativity having inspired carvers worldwide. He is indeed a rare talent - a djembe carver, decorative carver, sketch artist, and even architect; whose outstanding skill and attention to fine detail have produced the most recognized and imitated work in the djembe world.
Mohamed began his path in sculpture and design while still in high school in Conakry, as an apprentice of Mamadi Magassouba. After high school he moved to nearby Dubreka to study Fine Arts at the Higher Institute of Arts in Guinea. Since graduation Mohamed has dedicated himself to the art of djembe, producing the iconic pieces that he has become known for, and we look forward to seeing the development of his art over the years to come.
- Tom Kondas
TOM KONDAS
Tom first began building drums in 1995, gaining knowledge and skills by traveling extensively throughout the United States and abroad to work with both African and Western drum makers. Early in his career, he received training from Aboubacar Camara, former djembe player and drum maker for the national drum and dance group of Guinea, Ballet Africains; an experience that was important in defining his path. In 2003 Tom first traveled to Guinea, West Africa, and by 2004 he had established his own drum making shop in Conakry. His goal was to make the finest quality instruments possible, so he assembled a team of the top carvers and builders - the same team that he has worked with side-by-side since 2003.
In 2005 Tom joined forces with Magbana/Michael Markus in New York, to form Wula Drum. Through Wula, Tom and his team, including Mohamed Kaleb Sylla, continued to produce some of the highest quality djembes world had seen, until Tom and Mohamed took their next step together, leaving Wula to embark on their new venture, Koma Drum.
Tom’s time in Guinea has allowed him to thoroughly study and experiment with how form, carving, drum building techniques, and skin selection affect the acoustics of a djembe. He also learned the art of djembe carving from Guineas most talented carvers - an experience which has allowed him to further experiment with djembe form and sound. The result has been an ongoing shift from the contemporary bucket, or V-shaped bowls to more of a full (goblet-shape) form similar to the older, traditional style Malinke djembes.
Tom’s knowledge of the djembe and his commitment to fair wages and worker conditions has earned him the respect of the Guinean artists, which in turn has fostered an environment of cooperation and commitment to a common goal. Over the years this collaboration has had a far-reaching impact on both the art and the business of the djembe, and with Koma Drum Tom is dedicated to continuing on this same path.
