Music of African Cultures

1. Music of African Cultures

2. Eastern Africa • Tarabu- Swahili music • Mix of Arabic, Indian, and African. • Used in wedding and public events • Instruments • Indian and African drums • Oud-Arab influenced lute.

3. Musical Example • http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/explore/swahili/swahili_music.html • HijaziBashraf (Swahili)This typical Swahili melody has strong Indian influences. It is played with an oud, or Arab guitar, three violins, a mandolin, a kayambaflat grass rattle, an earthenware drum, a tambourine and a damba, an Arab-style drum made from clay and a goatskin membrane.

4. Southern Africa • Influenced by Zulu and Xhosa people. • Strong traditions of singing • Celebrations • Pass time • Call and response • Instruments • Ugubhu-single string gourd bow. • Thumb piano

5. Musical Example • http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/explore/southern/southern_music.html • Masalela(Xhosa)This fighting song is performed by a group of teen-age Xhosa boys as part of a martial arts tradition. The youngsters use sticks to fight each other, singing songs, like this one to raise their spirits. Masalela in Xhosa means "cowards." The boys sing: "Punch them for me, the cowards!" And, "that's cowards' business. They can just go away, the cowards".

6. Central Africa • Rainforest music of the Baka and Mbuti • Ceremonial and communication • Heavy use of a capella singing • Intruments • Water drums-cupped hands on water wake up rainforest • Thumb piano

7. Musical Example • Water Drumming

8. Western Africa • Dogon tribe • Used for ceremonies, especially ushering the dead into the Spirit world. • Elaborate costumes and masks are used. • Heavy use of drums for communication • Instruments: • Gourd rattle • Talking drum • Wooden flute

9. Musical Example: Dogon ceremony