Rexxum
I feel that I am far from the best person to write on this subject. So I'll keep my opinions to a minimum. The power of gifted musicians to conjure powerful magical spells has shaped the very foundation of Mbali history and culture. I am not Masanii, but you don't have to weld magic to respect its power and use throughout the land. Tapping into tsun within the elements by being in touch with your own tsun and using the right rhythm takes years of training, but it is a practice that has toppled kingdoms. All instruments can be used for some magic, even if its just a small, harmless manifestation. But with certain instruments, Masanii can weld great feats of magical power. One of the most powerful instruments for welding such feats is the drum.
Particularly, the djembe is used by the greatest armies in the land. Such use, especially for long amounts of time, can damage a players hand from the skin to the bone. Luckily, the Masanii of ancient times discovered the use of rexxum powder to protect the hands from prolonged drumming. Rexxum is a common mineral found in just about every mountain range in Mbali. The rocks are too plentiful to have great coin value, but it is an invaluable material for magical drummers.
Merchants crush the mineral into a fine powder and sell it by the bag for a reasonable price. When djembe drummers know that they will be playing for any extended time, they rub the powder on both hands before they perform in a drum circle, conjure a rhythm to speed their crops, or go into battle.The use of rexxum powder protects the skin from shattering in the short term and prevents crippling bone disease for those who drum regularly all their lives. Many magical drummers have found this material to be just as valuable as the skin on their djembe.
-Dulamah
Comments