Religion and Violence

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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

Audio Examples

10.1

Ghana: Polyrhythmic ensemble. "Vocal Band" by Odo ye few korye kuw Vocal Band (Love is Beautiful Unity Vocal Band) from the recording entitled Rhythms of Life, Songs of Wisdom: Akan Music from Ghana, SFW40463, courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. (p) (c) 1996. Used by permission.

10.2

Ghana: Talking drums. "Talking Drum" by Elizabeth Kumi and Joseph Manu from the recording entitled Rhythms of Life, Songs of Wisdom: Akan Music from Ghana, SFW40463, courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. (p) (c) 1996. Used by permission.

10.3

10.4

Central Africa: Pygmy song from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “Elephant Song” performed by Mbuti Pygmies, from the recording entitled Music of the Rain Forest Pygmies: The Historic Recordings Made by Colin M. Turnbull, Lyrichord LYRCD 7157 (original recording, 1961). Used by permission, Multicultural Media Inc.

10.5

Zimbabwe: Mbira dza vadzimu Shona ancestral spirit song. “Nyama musango,” performed by Elias Kunaka and Kidwell Mudzimirema (Mharadzirwa), recorded by John E. Kaemmer, Jirira, Zimbabwe, 1973. Used by permission.

10.6

Uganda: Akadinda (xylophone) Baganda akadinda song. “Gganga aluwa” (“Gganga escaped with his life”) performed by Sheikh Burukan Kiwuuwa and his group of royal akadinda musicians, recorded by Peter Cooke, Kidinda Village, Mpigi, Buganda, Uganda, 1987. Used by permission.

10.7

Senegal: Jali with kora. “Kuruntu Kallafa” performed by Salieu Suso (kora), from Griot: Salieu Suso, Lyrichord LYRCD 7418, n.d. Used by permission, Multicultural Media Inc.

10.8

South Africa: Mbube vocal choir “Phesheya Mama (Mama, they are overseas)” sung by the Utrecht Zulu Singing Competition, recorded by Gary Gardner and Helen Kivnick, 1984, from the recording entitled Let Their Voices Be Heard: Traditional Singing in South Africa. Rounder 5024, 1987. Used by permission of Concord Music Group, Inc.

Bonus Track

South Africa: Ladysmith Black Mambazo, “Because I Love You” from Wenyukela, © Gallo Record Company, 2003, Courtesy of Gallo Record Company. Published by Gallo Music Publishers.

Video Links

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

Audio Book

Coming soon...

On Your Own Time

Links and further resources

Book:: Stone, Ruth. The Garland Handbook of African Music. New York: Routledge, 2008.; https://www.routledge.com/The-Garland-Handbook-of-African-Music/Stone/p/book/9780415961028
Book:: Chernoff, John Miller. African Rhythm and African Sensibility: Aesthetics and Social Action in African Musical Idioms. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1981.; https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/A/bo24272513.html
Website:: The African Music Encyclopedia; http://africanmusic.org/
Website:: Afropop Worldwide; http://www.afropop.org/
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.; https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/music-and-dance-traditions-of-ghana/
Popular Artists of Ghana:: E.T. Mensah; Koo Nimo; George Darko
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/Audio:: King Sunny Ade — Juju Music; http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/juju-music/id340558
Website:: Fela Kuti: Official Website; https://felakuti.com
Popular Artists of Nigeria and Benin:: Angélique Kidjo; King Sunny Adé; Fela Kuti; Segun Adewale; Sir Shina Peters; Sir Victor Uwaifo
Website:: African Pygmies.org; http://www.pygmies.org/
Audio:: Music of the Rainforest Pygmies (recorded in 1960 by Colin M. Turnbull). Lyrichord: LYRCD 7157,1991.; http://lyrichord.com/musicoftherainforestpygmies.aspx
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
Popular Artists of Central Africa:: Franco & OK Jazz; Papa Wemba; Awilo Longomba
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://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
Website:: Uganda Tourism Board; http://www.visituganda.com/
Website:: African Music Safari; http://www.african-music-safari.com/african-xylophone.html
Audio:: Royal Court Music from Uganda. SWP Records: SWP008, 1998.; https://www.swp-records.com/music/008/royal-court-music-from-uganda
Popular Artists from Uganda:: Samite; Geoffrey Oryema; Bebe Cool
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.; https://iupress.org/9780253219619/griots-and-griottes/
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
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:: Ladysmith Black Mambazo — Official Site; http://www.mambazo.com/
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

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