We construct the rings to fit the circumference of the instrument snugly, so that the skin can be tightly and effectively stretched over the rim of the wood, and down the sides of the instrument. This ensures that there is constant contact between the skin and the wood.

Metal rings are a modern invention, which have made it easier to tune the instruments, and in the case of the djembes, it has also made it possible to produce a far greater tension on the skin, which in turn produces a much higher sound.

We use the rings for assembling the sangbans and kensedenis, and the traditional "sewing" technique for the doundounba. The doundounba is normally laid flat on the ground, and therefore if rings are used, the rope which is on the outside may wear through. The sewing technique results in the rope not having any contact with the ground. As the sangban and kensedeni are normally played slung over the shoulder (or placed on stands/chairs), this problem doesn’t arise and so we use the rings for the assembly of these two instruments.