African Music
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African music sounds primitive to Western listeners because it functions, not primarily for entertainment as in the West, but as a vital part of African community life and culture. As one sociologist puts it: "Music follows the African through his entire day from early in the morning till late at night, and through all the changes of his life, from the time he came into this world until after he has left it" (Warren and Warren, 1970, p. 3). Africa is a continent in which almost 800 different languages are spoken; however, the one common thread among all the inhabitants of this huge continent is their love for music and their deep involvement with it (p. 3). Africa can be divided into two parts: North Africa and Black Africa (south of the Sahara Desert). Because North Africa is largely influenced by Arabic music, this survey will focus on the traditional music of Black Africa. The heart of Black Africa consists of an immense area that stretches across the middle of the continent. It includes West, Central, and East Africa. Much musical diversity occurs within this middle portion. For instance, music in the northern portion of Black Africa exhibits Arabic influence. The Cushitic tradition of Ethiopia and the Horn area is influenced by the Coptic church. This music is characterized as "slow, restrained, ametric, antiphonal, heterophonic, and somewhat melismatic" (Merriam, 1982, p. 137). The music of the south can be further subdivided into two broad categories:
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ompanied the daily political activities of the monarch: "In the past, the kings of powerful states had an elaborate daily musical program. The kings of Dahomey, like the kings of Ashanti of old, required music at certain intervals of the day" (Nketia, 1974, p. 45). Music, such as drum beats, often accompanies executions or court proceedings. In fact, the drum is a sign of political power among the Tutsi and only royalty may possess them (Merriam, 1932, p. 69).
Music plays an integral part in the economic, social, and religious affairs of the community. Drums, gongs, rattles, and flutes accompany the cooperative efforts of agricultural workers, hunters, or canoe paddlers. Musical games are played by both children and adults. Religious societies and cult groups often have their own distinctive musical types and dances. Although music is interwoven into the fabric of African life, it does not occur continuously: "Sometimes the schedule of musical activities is related to the beliefs of a community--to the wishes of the gods they worship or to the reactions evoked from the spirits and forces that are believed to play a vital role in the drama of human existence" (Nketia, 1974, p. 27).
A sharp contrast exists between t
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1670
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)
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