Chapter 10 - Sub-Saharan Africa

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Chapter 10 introduces the music and associated cultural activities from Sub-Saharan Africa, including the countries of Ghana, Zimbabwe, Senegal-Gambia, and the Republic of South Africa. The fundamental concepts of polyrhythm as it applies to African music, as well as call and response vocal form, are a theme throughout the chapter. Numerous instruments, such as the atumpan (drums), mbira dza vadzimu (lamellophone), and kora (lute-harp) are discussed along with the vocal performance of mbube vocal choirs of South Africa.

Flashcards

Practice Quiz

Videos

For more world music videos, visit the World Music YouTube Channel.

Adowa Music & Dance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=Hxv6lNn8GHA

Heartbeat of Ghana
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCtQFeyiwbE

Gasco’s Drum and Dance Group
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jZFFN460u4

Kpanlogo Drum Lessons (1 of 2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klYQJ_jNoDs

Kpanlogo Drum Lessons (2 of 2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me_vqBj8Ql8

Voices of Africa through the Mbira
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A65rpKJGHiI

Konkolikan Sambla Baan Burkina Faso
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KarChRDf8mY

Ketama/SongHai with Toumani Diabate on Kora
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lep1tjEIkJc

On Your Own Time Links

Links and Further Resources

Africa


Africa


Book:
Stone, Ruth. The Garland Handbook of African Music. New York: Routledge, 2008.
http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415961028/
Book:
Chernoff, John Miller. African Rhythm and African Sensibility: Aesthetics and Social Action in African Musical Idioms. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1981.
http://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/A/bo3638026.html
Website:
The African Music Encyclopedia
http://africanmusic.org/
Website:
Afropop Worldwide
http://www.afropop.org/

Ghana


Audio:
Asante Kete Drumming — Music of Ghana. Lyrichord: LYRCD 7454, 2007.
http://lyrichord.com/asanteketedrumming-musicofghana.aspx
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/asante-kete-drumming-music/id268781221
Audio:
Rhythm of Life, Songs of Wisdom — Akan Music from Ghana, West Africa. Smithsonian-Folkways: SFW 40463, 1996.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/rhythms-life-songs-wisdom/id82056000
Website:
Ghana Nation
http://www.ghananation.com
Book:
Younge, Paschal Yao. Music and Dance Traditions of Ghana: History, Performance and Teaching. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., Inc., 2011.
http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-4992-7
Popular Artists of Ghana:
  • E.T. Mensah
  • Koo Nimo
  • George Darko

Zimbabwe


Book:
Berliner, Paul. The Soul of the Mbira: Music and Traditions of the Shona People of Zimbabwe.
Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1978.
http://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/S/bo3644709.html
Audio:
Shona Mbira Music. Nonesuch Records: H-72077, 1977.
http://www.nonesuch.com/albums/zimbabwe-shona-mbira-music
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/zimbabwe-shona-mbira-music/id40582109
Website:
Mbira.org
http://www.mbira.org/
Popular Artists from Zimbabwe:
  • Dumisani Maraire
  • Ephat Mujuru
  • Khiama Boys
  • Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi

Senegal-Gambia


Audio:
Griot — Salieu Suso. Lyrichord Discs: LYRCD 7418, 1991.
http://lyrichord.com/griot-salieususo.aspx
Book:
Hale, Thomas A. Griots and Griottes: Masters of Words and Music. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2007.
http://www.iupress.indiana.edu/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=68409
Book:
Charry, Eric. Mande Music: Traditional and Modern Music of the Maninka and Mandinka of Western Africa. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
http://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/M/bo3629899.html
Website:
Cora Connection
http://www.coraconnection.com/
Website:
The Kora Workshop
http://www.thekoraworkshop.co.uk/
Website:
The Art of the Kora
http://www.kora-music.com/e/frame.htm
Popular Artists from Senegal and Surrounding Regions:
  • Youssou N'Dour
  • Salif Keita
  • Baaba Maal
  • Cheikh Lo

The Republic of South Africa


Book:
Erlmann, Veit. Nightsong: Performance, Power, and Practice in South Africa. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996.
http://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/N/bo3632138.html
Website:
South Africa Info — Mbube
http://www.southafrica.info/about/arts/mbube-210206.htm
Website:
Ladysmith Black Mambazo — Official Site
http://www.mambazo.com/
DVD:
Ladysmith Black Mambazo: On Tip Toe. Dir. Eric Simonson. Docurama Films, 2000.
http://www.docurama.com/docurama/ladysmith-black-mambazo-on-tip-toe/
DVD:
Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony. Dir. Lee Hirsch. Artisan Home Entertainment, 2003.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/amandla-a-revolution-in-four/id252225815
Popular Artists from South Africa:
  • Miriam Makeba
  • Hugh Masekela
  • Arthur Mafokate
  • Zola
  • Vusi Mahlasela