Music in Northern Africa
African music has a wide variety of tunes to be heard. African music is very diverse just like the cultures of the African denizens. The music in Africa is very intertwined with every day life and is an essential part of their lives. The music that these people make expresses human life. Music is a transcendent entity. Much of the music produced long ago has been passed down from generation to generation and is still produced to this very day. This is true for almost every culture, however, is important to recognize. Even though African culture may seem worlds away from yours, some customs and norms persist. Contemporary music also has its place in African society.
Much of the "traditional African music" that was apart of Northern Africa has been influenced and altered by the Arabian culture. Sub-Saharan Africa has more direct pathways to its original roots. Instruments that are used range from various types of percussion instruments, stringed instruments such as the two string harp, and vocals.
Much of the traditional music has been passed through generations and is continued to be reproduced in many of the rituals held by the tribes in northern Africa. (Music of Africa, 2015)
There are many countries within northern Africa, all of which produce unique music indigenous to the tribes that inhabit each country. This page looks at some of the instruments used in the music, as well as some countries and the traditional and contemporary music produced. Some contemporary music from north Africa has had its influence on some American music as well. Some of the styles have seeped into the blues and jazz of American music (Music of Africa, 2015). The styles have swept into just a little bit more than just the blues and jazz music. Within the last century American music has also changed. "As the rise of rock 'n' roll music is often credited as having begun with 1940s blues music, and with so many genres having branched off from rock—the myriad sub genres of heavy metal, punk rock, pop music, and many more—it can be argued that African music has been at the root of a very significant portion of all contemporary music" (Music of Africa, 2015).
African music has a wide variety of tunes to be heard. African music is very diverse just like the cultures of the African denizens. The music in Africa is very intertwined with every day life and is an essential part of their lives. The music that these people make expresses human life. Music is a transcendent entity. Much of the music produced long ago has been passed down from generation to generation and is still produced to this very day. This is true for almost every culture, however, is important to recognize. Even though African culture may seem worlds away from yours, some customs and norms persist. Contemporary music also has its place in African society.
Much of the "traditional African music" that was apart of Northern Africa has been influenced and altered by the Arabian culture. Sub-Saharan Africa has more direct pathways to its original roots. Instruments that are used range from various types of percussion instruments, stringed instruments such as the two string harp, and vocals.
Much of the traditional music has been passed through generations and is continued to be reproduced in many of the rituals held by the tribes in northern Africa. (Music of Africa, 2015)
There are many countries within northern Africa, all of which produce unique music indigenous to the tribes that inhabit each country. This page looks at some of the instruments used in the music, as well as some countries and the traditional and contemporary music produced. Some contemporary music from north Africa has had its influence on some American music as well. Some of the styles have seeped into the blues and jazz of American music (Music of Africa, 2015). The styles have swept into just a little bit more than just the blues and jazz music. Within the last century American music has also changed. "As the rise of rock 'n' roll music is often credited as having begun with 1940s blues music, and with so many genres having branched off from rock—the myriad sub genres of heavy metal, punk rock, pop music, and many more—it can be argued that African music has been at the root of a very significant portion of all contemporary music" (Music of Africa, 2015).
Types of Instruments
Besides vocals, other instruments are plentiful in African music. There are various types of drums and percussion instruments that are utilized in the music. "African percussion instruments are divided into two groups: Instruments with rhythmic functions and instruments with melodic functions. Large gongs, twin gongs, slit gongs, and ritual gongs; rattles and foot rattle; woodblocks, bells, and double bells are examples of instruments with rhythmic functions. Other percussion instruments used for rhythmic parts include shakers, such as the kosika, rainsticks, and woodsticks. The melodic instruments include string instruments, (musical bows, different types of harps and harp-like instruments like the Kora as well as fiddles), many types of xylophone and lamellophone such as the mbira and different types of wind instrument like flutes and trumpets (Music of Africa, 2015)." The pictures above depict some of the instruments discussed. To learn about more of the musical instruments used visit www.newworldencyclopedia.org.
Besides vocals, other instruments are plentiful in African music. There are various types of drums and percussion instruments that are utilized in the music. "African percussion instruments are divided into two groups: Instruments with rhythmic functions and instruments with melodic functions. Large gongs, twin gongs, slit gongs, and ritual gongs; rattles and foot rattle; woodblocks, bells, and double bells are examples of instruments with rhythmic functions. Other percussion instruments used for rhythmic parts include shakers, such as the kosika, rainsticks, and woodsticks. The melodic instruments include string instruments, (musical bows, different types of harps and harp-like instruments like the Kora as well as fiddles), many types of xylophone and lamellophone such as the mbira and different types of wind instrument like flutes and trumpets (Music of Africa, 2015)." The pictures above depict some of the instruments discussed. To learn about more of the musical instruments used visit www.newworldencyclopedia.org.
Music of Ghana
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Example of traditional music from Ghana Sample video of Ghanaian traditional music, 2014 |
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Music of Nigeria
The music of Nigeria is very diverse. There are modern types of Nigerian music as well as traditional music that has been carried on to modern day and is utilized in rituals such as funerals. The music is sacred and a part of every day life. Professor Robert G. Armstrong was permitted by the Idoma tribe to be able to record some of the music they produce for funerals. The music produced for the rituals is sacred. Live performances, other than funerals, is considered taboo.
INSTRUMENTS USED:
Ajigo; Ichicha (Rattle); Okanga; Vocals
Genre
World
SUBJECTS
Dance; Funeral music; World music
(Music of the Idoma, 2017)
The album, Music of the Idoma of Nigeria Ediigwu Sings the Ancient Songs of Oturkpo can be found by clicking the gray button below.
The music of Nigeria is very diverse. There are modern types of Nigerian music as well as traditional music that has been carried on to modern day and is utilized in rituals such as funerals. The music is sacred and a part of every day life. Professor Robert G. Armstrong was permitted by the Idoma tribe to be able to record some of the music they produce for funerals. The music produced for the rituals is sacred. Live performances, other than funerals, is considered taboo.
INSTRUMENTS USED:
Ajigo; Ichicha (Rattle); Okanga; Vocals
Genre
World
SUBJECTS
Dance; Funeral music; World music
(Music of the Idoma, 2017)
The album, Music of the Idoma of Nigeria Ediigwu Sings the Ancient Songs of Oturkpo can be found by clicking the gray button below.
Music of Mali
Here are some examples of contemporary music from Mali.
Here are some examples of contemporary music from Mali.
Traditional Music of Mali performed at both a funeral and wedding, which are typically exclusive to the people involved in the lives of the people of focus, was able to be recorded by anthropologists Betty and W. Gurnee Dyer. "Music of Mali presents music from Timbuktu and Sanga, a region inhabited by Mali's Dogon people. The anthropologists were fortunate enough to witness a Dogon funeral, an elaborate ceremony normally restricted to locals, as well as a wedding procession and the music of two Tuareg minstrels in Timbuktu" (Music of Mali, 2017).
Music of Libya
The music of Libya was more or less put on a standstill due to the wrath of the dictator Muammar Gaddafi. His wrath over Libya's people took a toll especially on the music that was aired on the radio. A dictatorship is a form of government run by a single person in power and the people have little to know government involvement or say in any aspect of life. Because of this tyranny in Libya the music was completely censored and controlled by Gaddafi. In recent years since the death of Gaddafi, an explosion of new music has come from the Libyan people. Click the button below to learn more about the recent spark in music or visit stepfeed.com and check out some or the music from Libya.
The music of Libya was more or less put on a standstill due to the wrath of the dictator Muammar Gaddafi. His wrath over Libya's people took a toll especially on the music that was aired on the radio. A dictatorship is a form of government run by a single person in power and the people have little to know government involvement or say in any aspect of life. Because of this tyranny in Libya the music was completely censored and controlled by Gaddafi. In recent years since the death of Gaddafi, an explosion of new music has come from the Libyan people. Click the button below to learn more about the recent spark in music or visit stepfeed.com and check out some or the music from Libya.
Music of Egypt
Ancient Egyptian music may be one of the first ideas that would pop into one's head when thinking about traditional north African music. Of course the music of the ancient world has a lot to do with the countries culture, however unlike most countries in north Africa, Egypt is less of a third world country. The ancient music has not carried on into today's culture, but there are still some small aspects. Through the research of hieroglyphs, it has been found that there were a plethora of ancient musical instruments. There are depictions of string, wind and percussion instruments. The hieroglyphs also depict people listening to music and clapping their hands with the performance of the music (Music in Ancient Egypt, 2000). Much of the primitive forms of music are continued in the contemporary music of Egypt today. Learn more about some of the ancient instruments and music at reshafim.org
Much of the contemporary music of course has become noticeably modern. There are new ways to create music with the introduction of modern technology and modern instruments. Click the button below to hear some of the top pop songs of Egypt.
Ancient Egyptian music may be one of the first ideas that would pop into one's head when thinking about traditional north African music. Of course the music of the ancient world has a lot to do with the countries culture, however unlike most countries in north Africa, Egypt is less of a third world country. The ancient music has not carried on into today's culture, but there are still some small aspects. Through the research of hieroglyphs, it has been found that there were a plethora of ancient musical instruments. There are depictions of string, wind and percussion instruments. The hieroglyphs also depict people listening to music and clapping their hands with the performance of the music (Music in Ancient Egypt, 2000). Much of the primitive forms of music are continued in the contemporary music of Egypt today. Learn more about some of the ancient instruments and music at reshafim.org
Much of the contemporary music of course has become noticeably modern. There are new ways to create music with the introduction of modern technology and modern instruments. Click the button below to hear some of the top pop songs of Egypt.
Resources Used
Music in Ancient Egypt. (2000). Retrieved April 19, 2017, from http://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/egyptian-music.html
Music of Africa. (2015, November 10). New World Encyclopedia, . Retrieved 02:41, April 20, 2017 from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Music_of_Africa&oldid=991886.
Music of Mali | Smithsonian Folkways. (2017). Retrieved April 19, 2017, from http://www.folkways.si.edu/music-of-mali/islamica-world/album/smithsonian
Music of the Idoma of Nigeria | Smithsonian Folkways. (2017). Retrieved April 19, 2017, from http://www.folkways.si.edu/ediigwu/music-of-the-idoma-of-nigeria/world/album/smithsonian
Music in Ancient Egypt. (2000). Retrieved April 19, 2017, from http://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/egyptian-music.html
Music of Africa. (2015, November 10). New World Encyclopedia, . Retrieved 02:41, April 20, 2017 from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Music_of_Africa&oldid=991886.
Music of Mali | Smithsonian Folkways. (2017). Retrieved April 19, 2017, from http://www.folkways.si.edu/music-of-mali/islamica-world/album/smithsonian
Music of the Idoma of Nigeria | Smithsonian Folkways. (2017). Retrieved April 19, 2017, from http://www.folkways.si.edu/ediigwu/music-of-the-idoma-of-nigeria/world/album/smithsonian