Music and dance are so related closely in African thinking that it is difficult for them to separate song from movement or speech from playing the drum. In this case, the arts are a part of everyday normal life. Life cycle events including, but not limited to, birth, puberty and death are celebrated with a musical performance. Because music is so integral to society, everyone is expected to be able to sing and dance at a certain level of proficiency. Beyond that, certain people are selected for special
The African continent is the second largest continent in the world. It has a complex network of music throughout Africa. My main focus in this essay is music from West africa. West Africa has a particularly plentiful and manifold music tradition. Music from West Africa has made its influence significantly throughout the world, largely in terms of rhythm. Music from West Africa is known to be both sacred and secular, including to the fact that it was very much famous in history and is still famous
Laurelle Charne Music of South Africa Veit Erlmann May 13, 2014 Final Paper Being born and raised in South Africa, I wanted to enroll in this Music of South Africa class to learn more about my background. I find it fascinating how music could leave such a lasting impression on a country that it actually shaped the politics and mindset of the countries people. The South African national government forced the majority black population to be removed from the society as a solution to control the black
use religious the same rituals and music. Aissawa is generally used for better health or a better future. It is mostly played during certain holidays, birthdays and when a baby is being born. The type of beat to the song is very upbeat and positive and consists of a dance that is usually used for all the Aissawa songs. As for Africa the songs there are a little different for they don’t use words they make noises in their music. South Africa today, Aissawa music has more of a western beat and is generally
The question presented, concerning the South African apartheid and the music that was involved with the movements, debates whether the music came from the people’s desire to over come apartheid or if the music was a catalyst to the movement. As explained in the movie, the people used music for different aspects of the music, fundamentally a different song for every part of the movement. The music was a way in which the people could express themselves in a way that was noticed by their over rulers
During person’s youth, they are trying to figure out their identity. Nigerian hip-hop music is growing in popularity and has a lot of influence on the Nigerian youth and beyond. It has a large emphasis on incorporating English and Nigerian Languages in their song which allows them to connect with youth all over. Nigerian music today is able to send out positive or negative messages to the youth. It can send out music about women, money, power, and sex or holding your government responsible for their
Ashly.E.Jose MUS 380 A – Music Traditions of Africa Professor Gavin Webbs March 9, 2017 Music Tradition in West Africa Music plays a major part in various culture and for the people. Most people listen to one or another kind of music at one point of their life. One could be interested in traditional cultural music, pop music, jazz, classical music, religious or music that helps meditate, concrete or to help them to do work. Regardless of what kind of music people listen to it can be classified into
Kwaito music, perhaps the most important genre of music to materialize in post-apartheid South Africa, is commonly referred to as South African hip-hop. South African hip-hop originated in the 1990’s, shortly after Nelson Mandela was elected president. “Mandoza [a popular Kwaito singer] says this is no coincidence. After years of struggle, youngsters craved for a way to enjoy the freedom. Kwaito provides just that” (Lob 1). A popular hip-hop group, Prophets of da City, from Cape Town, South Africa
Jazz music of the 1920-1950’s was a central feature in the urban culture of South Africa. This kind of music developed specifically in Johannesburg and a place called Sophiatown. It took root here due to the increasing urbanization of black South Africans in mining centers. This led to the development of slum yards and ghettos where new forms of cross music began to arise. Marabi, the type of music formed, was founded in a time of disparity in South Africa so it became a form of resistance as well
the cultural setting of the urban underclass of Kingston, Jamaica, then later gained ground in Africa in the 80s. Public opinion about African reggae artists is that, they are either illiterate or abuse illegal substances. While such stereotypes hold true for some, here is a man whose career has broken the barriers of such stereotypes with a career of pre–and post–‘born again.’ I am waiting in a music studio at Martin Luther’s Street in Lansing, Michigan. The doorknob turns and my iris hits a neatly
There are various aspects of our lives and of those there is music. Music is an inextricable part of life. It can be dated back to the most primitive of time. Where there are humans there is some form of music varying from culture to culture. Languages, belief systems and many other variables within a nation have great influence on what is considered music and what’s not music. This is why it is very important when listening to music to consider the context in which it was created in. This will enable
instruments basically indicates that the origins of the music we use today come from the developments from Africa. To look at this statement briefly one may say that it is a very untrue statement. Even when studied briefly one will still say that it is very untrue. But when studied in detail, the continent of Africa was responsible for the development of the simple categories of the aerophones, membranophones and the chordophones. Music is such an important part of African life and always has
European Colonialism in African Music By Eugenia Galan MUNM 3113 Dr. David Howard January 9th, 2017 "Music is a vital aspect of the daily lives of people throughout sub-Saharan Africa." In their book, "World Music: A Global Journey", Miller and Andrew recognized that music is the epitome of Africa as it represents a great sense of culture and identity. Therefore, the act of altering, or influencing the music of Africa can be likened to the obliteration
and even music. Music is an important part of this world; not just pop music and what many first world countries are used to, but music of the world as well, such as melodies in Cuba or Africa. These two countries share many characteristics in their music, despite being two very different places. From the melody, to the rhythm, and even the instruments and cultural practices, the countries of Cuba and Africa have both very similar traits in their music. Rhythm is the pattern of music. It is one
employs performances that are reflective of Caribbean music, -- it has amazingly reflective attributes of African culture. Chiefly, this is a fundamental realization of the African Diaspora, and cultural reaches in Western society. As we learned in class, the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade displaced an incredible amount of Africans to Central America and the West Indies, spawning a new identity of African culture beyond the physical scope of Africa the continent. Thus, although the Caribbean is not a
expert drummer’s improvisations". The use of drums has been recognized as being able to put people into spiritual trances throughout history. The drum is a musical instrument with great power and presence that gives the "pulse" or backbone to the music it is incorporated with. There are three rudimental rhythmic procedures that have been known in drumming for the use of communication, entertainment and both communication and entertainment together. These are; (1) the use of a drum as a speech surrogate
Olomide in Africa. The reason of choosing this artist is because of his talents in music career and how it has dominated the continent and how it has expanded across other continents. Artist: Koffi Olomide Soukous is the most Popular Music in Africa. It is a musical genre that originated in Congo (Zaire) during the 1930s and the 1940s, and has gained popularity across the continent of Africa. Soukous from the French word for “shake”, is a genre term for modern Zairean/Congolese dance music (Soukous
Calypso Music and its Political and Cultural Influence When looking at music from Latin America, there are vast differences in the styles and types of music found. From Mexico’s mariachi to Brazil’s congado, music in Latin America is very different with each style having its own flavor. Each country possesses music that illustrates its history, and cultural evolution in its music, rhythm, and lyrics. For the southern and eastern Caribbean that music is Calypso. With its direct origins to African
they eat, the kind of clothes they wear, their music, dance, values (what is acceptable to them as a people) and to some extent, their perception of life. (Saka)” West Africa’s culture and history starts from nearly fifteen thousand years ago. The first people to come to the area were from East Africa. They migrated over because they needed to expand their hunting and gathering areas. They were then later on joined by cattle ranchers from North Africa who needed
The music from the Apartheid in South Africa was extremely important in the movement for freedom. At a time when there wasn’t much money for the Anti-Apartheid Movement, music became the most important weapon. The songs sung all over South Africa in resistance to the Apartheid intimidated the government more than weapons and violence could because of the powerful meaning behind each song that unified and strengthened the resistance. Artists all over South Africa wrote songs speaking out against