African Music
Published on Nov 18, 2015
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African Music
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African folk songs
Every type of instrument can be found in West Africa. Though drums are often thought of as the defining element of West African music, idiophones (literally "self-sounding" instruments) are the most pervasive. These include shakers like the shekere of the Yoruba of Nigeria, bells like the gankogui of Ghana, finger-pianos, and xylophones like the large bala of the Mande people. In many cultures an idiophone is used to play the time line.
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Music and Society
In all cultures music is deeply integrated into the activities of society, and the cultures of West Africa are no exception. First of all, music can be played simply for entertainment, whether it's an individual singing or playing to pass the time, or it's a large concert to celebrate the weekend. Music often accompanies religious rituals or ceremonies that mark cycles of life, such as birth, and funerals. Music is often connected to work; occupational groups (like guilds) might have their own music and songs
Photo by Arno Meintjes Wildlife
Given the vastness of the continent, the traditional music of Africa is historically ancient, rich, and diverse, with the different regions and nations of Africa having distinct musical traditions.
Traditional music in much of the continent is passed down orally (or aurally) and is not written. In Sub-Saharan African music traditions, it also frequently relies heavily on percussion instruments of every variety, including xylophones, drums, and tone-producing instruments such as the mbira or "thumb piano.
Photo by Ed Yourdon
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