Maimouna

Maimouna (Jhamicia Hale), born and raised in Detroit, MI, has been playing the djembe since a young girl. She started playing in elementary school at Marcus Garvey Academy which later received the name Nanou Djiapo from their Senegalese family. Maimouna has had the pleasure of being taught by many teachers from all over the world and she continues her learning today. Maimouna took time off from the djembe to go to college and join the military as an officer. She has had the chance to visit Dakar, Senegal and complete her rite of passage—while also honing her skills on the Djembe, Sabar, Dunun, Congo’s, Balafon while also nurturing her own music production skills. In addition, Maimouna teaches Djembe lessons for beginner drummers.

While in Senegal, she also received her African name, “Maimouna” which means protector, who always receives people and gets things in order; a strong woman who shares and helps others. Although Maimouna’s Senegalese family gave her that name, they call her Meme which is the nickname her parents gave her. In Senegal there is a song they sing every time they speak of her and talk to her which is “Meme Ni Gneuw”, it means “Meme is coming, coming to bless the people!”