Historical Background of African Music

African musical literature

is based on western theoretical frameworks, with categories such as African music, world music, global music, and ethnomusicology.

lyre and the xylophone

earliest known African instruments

Cultural Preservation

traditional African music often serves as a means of preserving cultural heritage and passing down stories from one generation to the next.

Social Bonding

music plays a crucial role in bringing communities together and fostering social bonding

Express of Emotion

the lyrics often speak directly to the experiences and challenges faced by the communities they come from

Healing and Theraphy

in some African cultures, music is believed to possess therapeutic qualities that can heal physical and spiritual ailments.

Cultural Exchange

this diversity has made it easier for musicians from different places to share and work together.

Economic Empowerment

the African music industry has experienced significant growth, resulting in economic benefits for artists, producers, and others involved.

Pan-African Identity

this importance refers to the shared identity, heritage, and belonging among individuals of African descent, regardless of their geographical location or cultural background.

African People

migrated in large and small groups. With them they brought their musical styles and instruments to the places they settled.

zeze

flat bar zither, a stringed instrument long known along the East African coast, expanded into the interior of Zambia, the eastern part of Congo (Kinshasa), and Malai.

tonal languages

Many languages spoken in Africa are __________, leading to a close connection between music and language in some local cultures.

Membranophones

are instruments whose sound is produced through vibrations of a flexible material or membrane.

Chordophones

instruments that generate sound through vibrating strings.

Aerophones

these musical creations produce their signature sounds by blowing air through them, creating a wide range of pitches and melodies.

Idiophones

these instruments produce music without the use of strings or stretched membranes due to their firmness and flexibility.

percussions

are any instruments that makes a sound when it is hit, shaken, or scraped.

the body

body activities such as foot stamping and hand clapping are included in this class.

Afrobeats

a fusion of contemporary R&B, pop, and hip-hop with traditional West African rhythms and instrumentation.

Highlife

a genre characterized by jazzy horn sections and call-and-response vocals, often incorporating elements of traditional Ghanaian music.

Juju

a blend of traditional Yoruba percussion and modern styles like funk and rock, known for its infectious energy and catchy melodies.

Mbalax

a unique combination of traditional Wolof percussion and modern styles like hip-hop and R&B

Kizomba

a romantic dance style characterized by smooth, sensual movements and a focus on improvisation, often accompanied by lilting melodies and syncopated beats.