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, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Senegal-Gambia, the Republic of South Africa, as well as the central rainforests of the continent. 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 and gangan drums, mbira dza vadzimu (lamellophone), akadinda (xylophone),and kora (lute-harp) are discussed along with vocal performance, such as is common to pygmy populations of central Africa, as well asmbube vocal choirs of South Africa. Juju, a popular music from Nigeria, is introduced, along with the successful group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which has helped bring much attention to the music of South Africa in particular.

Key Terms

  • Afirikyiwa
  • Afrikaner
  • Akadinda
  • Amadinda
  • Apartheid
  • Apremprensemma
  • Atumpan
  • Balafon
  • Bantu
  • Bira
  • Birimintingo
  • Call and Response
  • Candomblé
  • Cross-rhythm
  • Density referent
  • Dondo
  • Griot
  • Highlife
  • Hosho
  • Isicathamiya
  • Jali (also Jeli, pl. Jalolu)
  • Juerga
  • Juju
  • Kalimba
  • Kora
  • Kushaura
  • Koni
  • Kumbengo
  • Kutsinhira
  • Ladysmith Black Mambazo
  • Likembe
  • Maraca
  • Mbira
  • Mbira dza vadzimu
  • Mbube
  • Palm Wine guitar
  • Polyrhythm
  • Pygmies
  • Rhythmic melody
  • Santeria
  • Shaka Zulu
  • Tomtom
  • Vodou (also Voodoo)
  • Xylophone

Flashcards

Practice Quiz

Interactive Listening Guides

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
African Rhythm Guitar Demonstration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htUBRdOXTJ0
Baka Music House
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji6APnBLCoI
Pygmy Dancers in Uganda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOceeyD0iRU
Pygmies Dance Jazz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60004FZ2bes
Welcome Ceremony in Byumba Village
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFzfuqo2A_I
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
Pygmy Tribal Dance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=13&v=wVGK_kGOhcI

On Your Own Time Links

Links and Further Resources

Africa


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
Book:
Stone, Ruth. The Garland Handbook of African Music. New York: Routledge, 2008.
http://www.routledge.com/9780415961028/
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://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
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
Website:
Ghana Nation
http://www.ghananation.com
Popular Artists from Ghana:
E.T. Mensah
Koo Nimo
George Darko

Nigeria


Book:
Waterman, Christopher. Juju: A Social History and Ethnography of an African Popular Music. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990.
http://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/J/bo3774389.html
Website:
Fela.net (Dedicated to Fela Kuti, Founder of Afrobeat music)
http://www.fela.net/
Website/Audio:
King Sunny Ade—Juju Music
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/juju-music/id340558
Popular Artists from Nigeria and Benin:
Angélique Kidjo
King Sunny Adé
Fela Kuti
Segun Adewale
Sir Shina Peters
Sir Victor Uwaifo

Central Africa


Book:
Duffy, Kevin. Children of the Forest: Africa's Mbuti Pygmies. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, 1995.
http://www.waveland.com/browse.php?t=124&r=a|30
Website:
African Pygmies.org
http://www.pygmies.org/
Popular Artists from Central Africa:
Franco & OK Jazz
Papa Wemba
Awilo Longomba

Zimbabwe


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
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
Website:
Mbira.org
http://www.mbira.org/
Popular Artists from Zimbabwe:
Dumisani Maraire
Ephat Mujuru
Khiama Boys
Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi

Uganda


Audio:
Royal Court Music from Uganda. SWP Records: SWP008, 1998.
http://www.swp-records.com/Products/Catalogue%20list/8.html
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/royal-court-music-from-uganda/id111915695
Website:
African Music Safari
http://www.african-music-safari.com/african-xylophone.html
Website:
Uganda Tourism Board
http://www.visituganda.com/
Popular Artists from Uganda:
Samite
Geoffrey Oryema
Bebe Cool

Senegal-Gambia


Book:
Hale, Thomas A. Griots and Griottes: Masters of Words and Music. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2007.
http://www.iupress.indiana.edu/product_info.php?products_id=684_09
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:
The Art of the Kora
http://www.kora-music.com/e/frame.htm
Website:
Cora Connection
http://www.coraconnection.com/
Website:
The Kora Workshop
http://www.thekoraworkshop.co.uk/
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
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
Website:
Ladysmith Black Mambazo—Official Site
http://www.mambazo.com/
Website:
South Africa Info—Mbube
http://www.southafrica.info/about/arts/mbube-210206.htm
Popular Artists from South Africa
Miriam Makeba
Hugh Masekela
Arthur Mafokate
Zola
Vusi Mahlasela