African music is arguably the most influential music in all of mankind. Because music from Sub-Saharan Africa focused on communal singing, it was one of the earliest to emphasize the use of harmony and structured singing. Though stringed instruments, bells, flutes and even xylophones were all used in traditional African music, there is nothing more important than the basic African hand drum.
Sub-Saharan
Music, no
music is more purely African than music that originated in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Though many regions were influenced by other nations, Sub-Saharan music remains
quintessentially African. Because writing and reading came late to parts of
Africa, this music was created as a form of communication. In time, it became
an interesting and exciting, communal way to celebrate and mark several major
milestones in a person's life. For example, there are literally hundreds of African
songs and music that celebrate marriage, childbirth or even hunting parties.
Music
is also played to scare off evil spirits and to pay homage to deceased
ancestors. African music of this type is almost always accompanied by a
specific dance or ceremony. It is often performed by professional musicians who
have knowledge and experience with ceremonial music.
Though
stringed instruments, bells, flutes and even xylophones were all used in traditional
African music, there is nothing more important than the basic African hand
drum. In fact, there are literally dozens of drums that are played on different
occasions. A few of the most popular drums that are used in a traditional
African musical include: bougarabou, tama talking drums, djembe, water drums
and a many different kinds of ngoma drum that are played in parts of Central
and Southern Africa. These drums are almost always accompanied by singers or
choruses who often keep time with rattles, shakers, woodsticks, bells or by
simply clapping their hands' or stumping their feet.
