Sounds of Africa

The rhythm of the world dances

Music in Africa, to Africans is more than just sound and instruments, it's a language, a means of communication, and a lifestyle.  From ancient times to this very day Africa holds steadfast to the musical. Music is in us, Africa birthed sounds that have reached every corner of the earth and have given countless tunes. Sounds that have been a recuse for black people all around the world, sounds that gave hope in hopeless situations, give some sense of comfort, and sounds that make us glad. 

To us, music is more than tunes and feel goods, music has been a big part of the black culture for many years, from the days of the glorious continent to the days of dark clouds formed through slave trade and colonization. Music makes Africa, black people, who we were and who we are.

The Djembe 

Picture: Djembe Drums 

When I was growing up my mom told me stories about my grandmother who was a drummer, she played the African drums. The  Djembe is one of the most played instrument in Africa, Every Saturday my grandmother went to a virgin reveal ceremony, this is a ceremony where a girl becomes of age and her maturity is celebrated. Dance and music are the order of the day. On other occasions, she would be playing the drums at a marriage ceremony. She taught herself to play at the age of 5, she perfected the art, to many she was chosen by ancestors. 

Picture: Afrodrumming

Djembe drums are such a fun instrument that is made in many different ways, from plain jane to highly decorated with beads prints and drawing. All to the designer's liking. The Djembe drums are made from wood, wood is cut and shaped to the designer's desire, then a hole is made in the center from which sound will be made, and then when the wood dries, animal skin is covered from top to bottom. later decorations are added and the drums are ready, the process takes 2 - 4 days. 

This instrument is believed to have been first made in West Africa.

The Bolon

Picture: Pinterest

The Malian empire began in the 1240s, at this time his empire was one of the most powerful empires in the world, the empire was so wealthy, its wealth was built from trade across Africa and the Mediterranean. The empire was ruled by some excellent leaders including the founder Sundiata Keita and the world's wealthiest man, Mansa Musa. 

Music was a significant part of everyday life in the Mali empire, the Bolon is an ancient instrument that has graced many occasions and celebrations, not only for the Mali empire but across western Africa, later covering the rest of Africa. The oldest instrument was invented in West Africa and perhaps the whole continent.  The Bolon was used for a variety of ceremonies, from welcoming warriors after a war to weddings and even funerals. 

Picture: Pinterest

It is pure art; the whole tool is made from nature The Bolon is made from Gourd which is common amongst west African instruments, the gourd comes in different shapes sizes, and colors, the finished gourd is covered in animal skin usually goatskin, the wooden top part is curved to the designer's liking.

The strings are made of goatskin which is twisted and then covered with goatskin or cow-skin, plus a curved wood top is added. in other parts of Africa, the Bolon has been given different names like Ngoni.

The Timbila 

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The Timbila is home to many tribes across Africa, what is so fascinating about this instrument is how it functions. The making of this wonder instrument involves drying different sizes of gourds, the gourds are what are used to create sounds. The timbila is the mother of pianos, the sounds are notably similar. The timbila is used to perform at many events. 

    

             

                                                              Pinterest: Picture

For the Lozi people, a tribe in the Southern part of Zambia this instrument is called silimba meaning music. The silimba is used for any social gatherings. If you visit the tribe’s annual ceremony called kuomboka, meaning coming out of the water, which is the king’s immigration from the island to the mainland, in celebration of the gods of rains.  The stunning silimba can be seen and heard at the event, entertaining the king before the boat takes off to the other side. and on arrival on the mainland 

The Sekere (Shekere)

The Shekere is such a fun traditional instrument home to West Arica. It is a party instrument, played at festivals and weddings, and other related celebrations. Like many other African instruments, the Shekere made its way to The Caribbean, retaining strong historic ties to Africa. Numerous Africans were illegally taken from Africa to the Caribbean and Americas, the existence of the African traditions and cultures are apparent in the paths of the Caribbean and Americas, from hair to dance to the melodious instrument called Shekere.  

           Picture: Afrohemien

The Shekere is a diverse instrument made from dried gourds. The gourds are left to dry for months after which beading work and color are added. The size of the gourds determines the sound of the Shekere.

The Shekere is easy to carry and fun to play.

The Sekere (Dancing Feet) 

Black people's devotion to music runs long and old, as old as time. The Motswana people of Botswana are one of many tribes of Africa who dance with their feet. The Motswana people pride themselves on their vibrant cultures, but one striking part of the tuneful culture remains the dancing feet. The Sekere as commonly known by the Nguni people is a fascinating way that people make sounds using feet and instruments. 

The Sekere is made from fruits that are uneatable, the fresh Sekere is individually plucked, then a rope made from animal skin is put to join the seeds. The big seeds and small seeds are put together to create a great sound. The Sekere is made over a period of three days. 

Music and Africa are one, the sounds of the soul and the rhythms of humanity.