On at about 07:43:53 AM, Tunes of African Music across time (History) was updated.
Because of foreign settlers, it is safe to say that so-called African music today is quite different from original African music.
Missionaries brought Christianity with them, which differed from local beliefs. Most African leaders abandoned traditional behaviours in order to conform to the newly acquired Western culture. Because of this cultural inheritance, a hybrid of African and foreign music emerged, corrupting the original traditional African music.
Only a few villages may claim to have kept their native sounds — History of African music
Migrations
Another factor for the haziness of traditional African music is migration. When living conditions in the Sub-Saharan desert became intolerable, populations relocated in quest of greener pastures. As is customary, these migrant communities traded cultures, some of which were adopted from foreign settlers.
Archaeological evidence
The majority of information on ancient African music is based on archaeological discoveries. African musical tradition is identified and dated through paintings on rocks.
extra sources
Written documents by missionaries such as Ibn Batuta also shed light on ancient African musical culture. Linguistics and oral literature are also important sources of information about African music.
Traditional musical instruments
What were some of the old African musical instruments?
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Tension drums: Tension drums, also known as Dundun pressure drums, were quite popular among the Yoruba. The hourglass-shaped Dundun tension drums are played with a stick. These pressure drums were highly respected since they were ideal for enhancing any ceremonial gathering. Due to their effectiveness and splendour, several ethnic communities in Nigeria continue to use drums for celebrations.
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Iron bells: The Kwa speakers brought iron bells to Central Africa. There are various types of iron bells. The clapperless bells can be played with a stick to make sounds that are similar to traditional African music. The single and double bells are also struck to make ceremonial sounds. These are the types of sounds that are commonly heard during burial and divine rites. Iron bells are still in use today.
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Horns: Horns were obtained from antelopes, elephants, and even tree roots. Horn blowing is a skill that requires a lot of practice. The hornblower can send signals known to the community members by the number of sounds blown. Horns may create musical rhythms and sounds by switching between tones quickly and repetitively.
Call and response strategies
The majority of tracks followed a straightforward formula. The soloist performs a stanza or a line, followed by responses from the other singers. This was typically used for traditional folk music. Other old songs include:
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Work songs: Work songs were written to inspire and give harmony while farming.
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War songs: War songs are, in general, comparable to resistance songs. These are the kinds of music that make you want to battle without fear of death. War songs were intended to inspire fighters' bravery and fearlessness.
This tactic of calling and responding is still used for writing and singing songs among communities in Nigeria.
Genres of African popular music include:
FAQ
How do you define African music?
Historically, Africa has made substantial contributions to music-making in many other parts of the world, most notably the Americas, and particularly in genres such as jazz, rock and roll, blues, salsa, and samba.
How do you define African music?
Historically, Africa has made substantial contributions to music-making in many other parts of the world, most notably the Americas, and particularly in genres such as jazz, rock and roll, blues, salsa, and samba.
What is African music known for?
African music refers to the musical sounds and traditions of all indigenous African peoples, including the Berber of the Sahara and the San (Bushmen) and Khoikhoin (Hottentot) of Southern Africa. The music of European settler populations and Arab North Africa is not included in this debate.
What kind of music is in Africa?
Africa is a musically diverse continent, with genres ranging from Afrobeat to Ndombolo, Rhumba, Bongo, Benga, and Kwaito, as well as Reggae, Hip-hop, and R&B. Music is typically an essential aspect of life in Africa, from traditional and cultural gatherings to modern concerts and bus journeys.
How would you describe Africa?
Africa is known as the "Mother Continent" since it is the oldest inhabited continent. The Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean surround Africa, the world's second-largest continent. The Equator divides it approximately evenly in half.
What is the purpose of African music to their society?
Music is an essential component of African cultural life, accompanying a variety of occasions such as childbirth, marriage, hunting, and even political actions. Many cultures utilize song and dance to fend off evil spirits and to honour the dead and their ancestors.
Why is African music the most influential music in the world?
Most African music contains scales that are very close to those of European music, so we may be looking at a cohesive and, indeed, approachable style. 2. Because rhythm is likely the most universal part of music, it is relatively easy to export in many African kinds of music.
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