ANTH006 Week 3-5 Lect

The Mande Jaliya Singing History

Overview of Music in Africa

• Diversity of Expression:

  • General Factors Impacting Music: Reflects cultural, social, and historical influences.

  • Languages: Over 800 languages spoken across 54 countries, showcasing rich cultural variety.

  • Religious Influences: Includes Muslim, Christian, and traditional belief systems.

  • Recent History: Countries gained independence from colonial powers in the 1950s, marking a renaissance in cultural expression.

• Key Questions to Consider:

  • What is the role of a musician in society?

  • How does music convey history?

  • The distinction between traditional and popular music.

The Mali or Mande Empire (1200s-1600)

• Medieval Globalization: Influences from various regions including Sudanic Africa, Muslim North Africa, Arab traders, and Europeans contributed to Mande music’s evolution.

• Political Structure: Centralized and hierarchical.

Contemporary Mande Peoples

• Geographic Spread: Found throughout West Africa from Senegal to Burkina Faso.

• Languages Spoken: Maninka, Mandinka, Bamana, French.

The Jali or Griot

• Definition: Hereditary musicians and historians serving the Mande people.

• Roles and Status:

  • Served as craft specialists (nyamalo) to wealthy patrons.

  • Functioned both as entertainers and advisors.

  • Extolled history through praise songs and lineage stories.

• Hereditary Profession: Knowledge passed through apprenticeship; notable families include Kouyate, Diabate, Suso, Jabarteh.

Instruments of the Mande

• The Balafon:

  • A xylophone with 18-21 keys and gourd resonators.

  • Dates back to at least the 1300s as a court instrument.

• The Kora:

  • A harp-lute with 21-25 strings, played in a diatonic scale with right/left alternation.

  • Popularized in the 19th-20th century.

• Other Instruments:

  • Ngoni: A spiked lute, related to the American banjo.

  • Djembe: A goblet-shaped drum, widely popular in West Africa.

Musical Forms and Concepts

• Kumbengo: Instrumental ostinato.

• Birimintingo: Virtuosic instrumental solo.

• Donkilo: Song with several phrases of text.

• Sataro: Extemporaneous spoken or chanted text, example shown in “Sinyaro”, a 19th-century praise song.

Contemporary Mande Music

• Decline of Traditional Roles: Loss of patronage leads to changes in jali roles.

• Influences Post-WWII: Increased popularity of guitar and Cuban music.

• Post-Independence: Nationalist sentiments following independence in Mali (1950) and Guinea (1958).

• Government Support: Mali's President Modibo Keita funded national orchestras in the 1960s.

• Modern Griots: Example includes Bassekou Koutaye, who protests fundamentalist takeovers in North Mali.

Sunjata – The Catalyst of Mande Music

• Significance: Most crucial song within the Jali repertoire, detailing the rise of Sunjata Keita, the founder of the Mande Empire.

• Features: Incorporates call and response structure, showcasing traditional storytelling practices.

Ethiopian Musical Context

Introduction to Ethiopia

• Historical Depth: Officially founded in 980 B.C., it is one of the oldest societies in Africa.

• Diversity: 77 distinct ethnic groups, with Amhara, Oromo, and Tigray being the most populous.

• Religious Demographics: 62.6 million Christians, primarily Orthodox.

• Cultural Importance of Coffee: First discovered in Ethiopia.

Regional Composition and Ethnic Groups

• Amhara: Semitic group, 27% population, historically the ruling group.

• Tigray: 6% of the population, known for overthrowing a Marxist junta.

• Oromo: The largest group at 33.5%, historically marginalized.

Historical Resistance to Colonialism

• Scramble for Africa: Ethiopia’s unique status as a country that successfully resisted formal colonization.

• Italian Conflict: Successfully defended against Italy in the 1895 battle.

Musical Landscape of Ethiopia Today

• Indigenous Traditions: Diverse sacred and secular musical styles endemic to various regions.

• Christian Liturgical Music: Sacred chants of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church are prevalent.

• Secular War Songs: These songs blend indigenous and religious elements to advocate for unity during conflicts.

Musical Terms and Structure in Habesha Music

• Zema (Chant): Defined as pleasing sound; rooted in both indigenous and Christian traditions.

• Performers: Debtera—an itinerant group of singers and performers.

• Instruments: Includes kebero (drums) and tsanatsel (sistrum) with sections often performed a cappella.

Folk Music of the Ethiopian Highlands

• Origin of Folk Music: Predominantly from the highland region, reflecting rich cultural narratives.

• Musical Characteristics: Utilizes modal and pentatonic scales with assorted chordophones like masenqo, krar, and begena.

Resistance Music and National Identity in Ethiopia

• Historical Significance: Songs commemorating the Battle of Adwa represent the Ethiopian spirit and resistance against colonization.

• Modern Protests: Contemporary compositions often address socio-political issues, maintaining the legacy of past struggles.

Irish Music: Cultural Resilience and Identity

Historical Context of Irish Music

• Celtic Roots and Colonial Influence: Gaelic origins faced British colonialism and subsequent nationalist movements.

• Key Events: Easter Rebellion (1916) leading to Republic of Ireland (1949) and Northern Ireland’s complex identity.

Revival and Maturation of Irish Music

• Early 20th Century Revivals: Home Rule Movement promoted Gaelic culture and language.

• Ceili Bands: Emerged as popular rural music ensembles incorporating traditional instruments.

• Influence of American Music: Emigration shaped modern Irish music with cross-cultural influences.

Irish Folk Music Today and Musical Elements

• Revival Movements: The 1960s-70s saw significant folk music resurgence driven by socio-political changes.

• Characteristic Elements: Ornamentation and suite-like dance compositions, with jigs and slips as prevalent forms.

Bulgarian Folk Music: Tradition and Adaptation

Historical Overview

• Cultural Background: Bulgaria's history traverses Ottoman rule, monarchy, and communism.

• Population and Religion: 85% ethnic Bulgarians with a spectrum of religious practices.

Traditional Musical Features

• Characteristics of Bulgarian Music: Additive meters, as seen in common forms such as daichovo horo 9/8.

• Instruments Used: Gaida, zurna, and other traditional instruments feature in ensemble contexts.

Societal Influence on Music

• Narodna Muzika: State-sponsored folk music education under communist rule, fostering traditional forms.

• Folklorization: Transformation of folk traditions for concert stages, intertwining classical techniques with folk themes.

Modern Perspectives and Changes

• The Shift in Musical Expression: Evolving away from purely traditional context to broader cultural significance.

• Mysterious Bulgarian Voices: Gaining western attention, the traditional female choir represents an example of cultural crossroads.