The Musical Culture of Africa in the 21st Century

The Musical Culture of Africa in the 21st Century

In rural areas, some traditional music is still performed for magical ceremonies to promote rain, healing, and good luck. All of these rituals are accompanied by elaborate preparations and costumes, and often turn into contests between the participants. Traditional orchestras and elaborately costumed dancers also sometimes perform during political events or state visits from important guests. But with the increasing industrialization and urbanization of Africa, the population's knowledge of and interest in traditional music and instruments has declined.

For thousands of years, music in Africa has provided a constant background for work and play, an accompaniment to religion and ceremony, and a basic means of communication. Traditionally, children learned singing and clapping by imitating their parents as they sang stories and legends of important historical events and people.

Music could also provide a way to resolve hostilities; both children and adults would often confront their enemies by means of mocking or insulting songs rather than aggressive face-to-face encounters. People of all ages worked while singing or listening to music.

Many musicians have taken traditional elements and reworked them by adding Western instruments, adopting different vocal techniques,and using the latest sound mixing technology. They have also incorporated aspects of musical styles from around the world. Many American musical styles came out of the music brought to the New World by African slaves, including jazz, the blues, gospel, rock and roll, rap, and hip-hop, along with many Latin and Caribbean beats. Those musical forms now inspire and influence modern African musicians.

Since songs are not usually written down, African musical styles encourage a great deal of improvisation and imagination. Each musician or orchestra has its own interpretation and a song might be played a hundred times, with each performer adding his or her variations to the words, melody, or rhythm.

Musical instruments are made from whatever materials are commonly available. In the past, that included primarily natural materials, such as wood, bamboo, clay, stone, seeds, gourds, reeds, palm leaves, calabashes, animal horns, tusks, bones, and hides, snake skins, and tortoise shell. Modern instruments may incorporate these materials where possible, but are often made instead from recycled materials, such as old oil drums, tin cans, wire, and roofing metal. These materials are used both by traditional musicians who make their own instruments, and by enterprising craftsmen who turn out traditional instruments.

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