Introducing six African instruments and their places in African culture. Also, details on how they are made and played.
Africa is a vast continent with an immense history
and numerous cultures. As such, there are also a great number of
different instruments throughout the land. This article will introduce
some of the most common ones and their place in African culture.Cabasa
(also known as axatse or shekere) - The cabasa is an African instrument
made from gourd and is covered with seeds or shells. It is played by
striking on the legs and hands in different combinations. Hitting the
top of the instrument produces a deep drum-like tone. Because gourds
are used to make the instruments, and they all differ in shape, no two
cabasas ever produce the same sound. The instrument is used in
folkloric music, particularly by the Yoruba people of Nigeria.
Agogô
(also known as cowbell or gonkogui) - Like the cabasa, the agogô is an
African instrument that has it’s roots in Yoruba music. The two bells
on the agogô differ in size; the smaller bell produces a high tone
whilst the larger bell produces a low tone. The agogô is considered to
be among the oldest samba instruments and is used in many Yoruba
religious ceremonies. Through African slavery, the instrument was
introduced into other countries and used in new religions established
outside the African continent.
Djembe - The
djembe is an African instrument that emerged in the Mali Empire during
the 12th Century. The drums vary in size but all have a skin covering
which, when beaten with the hands in various rhythms, produces a wide
range of tones.Many djembe drums are made from a single carved piece of
wood and covered with a toughened goat skin.
Juju
- The juju is an African instrument made from dried palm nut shells and
wood. The instrument is played very similar to a maraca with the
shaking of one producing a percussive sound. Like many African
instruments, the Juju is used during many Yoruba ceremonies. Today, it
is used very frequently in Nigerian music.Talking Drum - The
talking drum is a West African instrument which is shaped like an
hourglass. Both ends of the drum have a head which is beaten with a
stick. Tightening the strings of the drum can change the tone to such
an extent that some tribes use the differing tones as a means of
communication. The Talking Drum originated in the ancient Ghana Empire
over one thousand years ago.
Thumb Piano -
There are hundreds of different thumb pianos on the African continent.
The Mbira is one such instrument. Constructed from hardwood and metal,
the instrument is played by supporting the piano with one hand whilst
using the thumb and index finger of the other hand to pluck the keys.
Thumb pianos hold much religious and social significance in Africa. The
Shona people of Zimbabwe have been using the Mbira for over 1500 years
during their religious and social ceremonies.
The
six instruments introduced above are just a few of the many that are
used throughout Africa. There are literally thousands of different
instruments used by hundreds of different tribes so obviously , we would
be unable to cover every one of them!
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Tags: african continent, african culture, african instruments, african slavery, axatse, cowbell, different instruments, djembe drums, goat skin, gourds, high tone, immense history, mali empire, maraca, nut shells, palm nut, percussive sound, religious ceremonies, two bells, vast continent
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