Dear Students,

I loved the hot outback of Australia so much that I’m off again to another hot destination.

This place is hot and filled with sand, the Savannah and lots of animals like Lions, Elephants, Zebras and Giraffes.

There is a huge mountain called Kilimanjaro here. Its so big it looks like it touches to the highest point in the sky.

Can you guess where i am?

From, Mr Maraca.

Traditional African Music

Traditional African music styles serve topreserve the cultures of the different tribesin the different parts of the country.

Many of these countries have no writtenlanguage and so because of this their music tells the stories of past events, moralteachings and religious beliefs that are pastdown from generation to generation.

Features of Traditional African Music

• The importance of rhythm• The use of traditional instruments• The use of idiophones• Ostinatos- repeated rhythmic or melodic ideas• Polyrhythm – simultaneous playing or singing of

different rhythms by performers who begin at different times.

• Call and response• Singing in tribal languages- Watch excerpt of ‘The Lion king’

Music is also used to accompany work, for entertainment and for ceremonial occasions of all kinds. In fact, music is linked to almost every aspect of African Life.

Idiophone

An idiophone is any musical instrument which creates sound primarily by way of the instrument vibrating itself, without the use of strings or membranes.

Instruments

Mbira (Mm-beer-ah) or Sansa There are many different styles of mbiras. Some are made in rectangular shape with two small holes on both sides. On the top of the mbira are metal keys which are struck with both thumbs. Other mbiras are mounted inside gourds to create a louder and more melodious sound. This instrument can be made from various raw materials.

Shekere (Shay-kah-ray)

The Shekere is a gourd with geometrically fashioned beading around it that is held together with cotton string.

Djembe (Jim-bay) Drum

Originated from the Bambara people of West Africa, it is carved from a tree trunk into a vase shape. This drum is designed wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. The head is covered with goat skin, held in place by two metal rings and nylon or cotton rope. The Djembe Drum has three basic sounds. They are base, tone and slap.

Dusengani (Doos-in-gaw-nee)

Originating in Mali, West Africa, among the Wasulu people, this harp had eight strings with four on both sides. Made with a long pole, a large calabash, cowhide and nylon string, this instrument was traditionally played by hunters.

The Kora

This instrument pre-dates the guitar and was created in the Senegal-Gambia region of West Africa. The body is made with a large half of a calabash and a long pole. Cowhide covers the gourd and also helps to keep strings mounted and tuned. The Kora strings are made of nylon.

Balafon

This instrument is a xylophone with gourds added and used as resonators. Sound is produced by striking the tuned keys with two padded sticks.

The End