It is a title passed down from a master to their pupil, after they have learned all there is to know about the African drum.
In general, a master drummer has given their whole life to the djembe and dunun.
A drummer can play for twenty years before he or she is given the status of 'Master'.
Another type of master drummer is a person who leads other drummers in playing drum rhythms, e.g. in the French Caribbean styles, the master drummer may be called "kamande" in French Creole.
Some well-known master drummers include: The term "master drummer" may also refer to an African live composer.