Glossary

13.2 Music and dance in African cultures

6 min read•july 31, 2024

Music and dance are vital to African cultures, playing key roles in religious ceremonies and social gatherings. They communicate with the divine, foster community bonds, and mark life transitions. These art forms preserve oral traditions, transmitting cultural values and histories across generations.

Communal participation in music and dance strengthens social cohesion and shared identity. From religious rituals to celebrations, these performances bring communities together. They also serve as powerful tools for cultural transmission, teaching younger generations about their heritage through active involvement and observation.

Music and Dance in African Culture

Significance in Religious Ceremonies and Social Gatherings

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  • Music and dance integral parts of African religious ceremonies
    • Communicate with divine, invoke spirits, express devotion
    • Example: Yoruba people of Nigeria use drumming and dance in worship of orishas (deities)
  • Foster in social gatherings
    • Celebrate important events (weddings, harvests)
    • Provide entertainment and encourage participation from community members
  • Accompany rites of passage marking transitions in life stages
    • Birth, initiation, marriage, death ceremonies have specific music and dance traditions
    • Example: Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania perform jumping dance during warrior initiation
  • Transmit cultural values, histories, social norms across generations
    • Oral traditions preserved and shared through music and dance
    • Example: Griot storytellers in West Africa use music to recount historical events and convey moral lessons
  • Communal participation in music and dance performances
    • Various community members take part, fostering sense of unity and shared identity
    • Example: Akan people of Ghana have Adowa dance performed by entire community during festivals

Importance of Communal Participation and Cultural Transmission

  • Participation in music and dance often communal
    • Various members of community take part in performance
    • Fosters sense of unity, shared identity, and social cohesion
  • Music and dance used to transmit cultural values, histories, social norms
    • Oral traditions preserved and shared through musical and dance performances
    • Younger generations learn by participating and observing
  • Rites of passage accompanied by specific music and dance traditions
    • Mark transition from one stage of life to another (birth, initiation, marriage, death)
    • Reinforce cultural identity and sense of belonging within community
  • Music and dance celebrate important events and provide entertainment
    • Weddings, harvests, religious festivals bring community together
    • Encourage participation and enjoyment from all members of society
  • Example: Yoruba people of Nigeria use music and dance in worship of orishas (deities)
    • Communal participation in drumming, singing, and dancing during religious ceremonies
    • Strengthens connection to spiritual world and reinforces shared cultural beliefs

Instruments and Techniques of African Music

Percussion, String, and Wind Instruments

  • African percussion instruments form foundation of traditional musical ensembles
    • Drums (, talking drums, ngoma) create complex rhythms and tones
    • Rattles and bells add percussive accents and texture to music
    • Example: Djembe drum widely used in West African music, made from hollowed wood and animal skin
  • String instruments create melodic and harmonic elements
    • (21-string harp-lute) and ngoni (lute with 4-7 strings) common in West Africa
    • Musical bows, like Zulu uhadi, produce unique resonant sounds
    • Example: Kora played by griots to accompany storytelling and praise singing in Mande culture
  • Wind instruments contribute to diverse soundscapes
    • Flutes, horns, and trumpets made from wood, ivory, or animal horns
    • Used for signaling, ceremonial purposes, and musical performances
    • Example: Kakaki, a long metal trumpet, played in Hausa traditional music of Nigeria

Polyrhythm, Call-and-Response, and Improvisation Techniques

  • a defining characteristic of African music
    • Simultaneous use of multiple rhythmic patterns creates complex, layered sound
    • Different instruments play interlocking rhythms that complement each other
    • Example: Ewe drumming of Ghana features polyrhythmic interplay between drums and bells
  • Call-and-response techniques commonly employed
    • Lead singer or instrumentalist "calls" and is answered by chorus or group "response"
    • Creates dynamic interaction between performers and engages audience participation
    • Example: Work songs and field hollers in many African cultures use call-and-response
  • Improvisation and individual expression highly valued
    • Musicians encouraged to improvise and add personal flair within structured framework
    • Allows for creativity, spontaneity, and adaptation to mood of performance
    • Example: Jazz music, influenced by African traditions, emphasizes improvisation and individual expression

Music, Dance, and Storytelling in Africa

Interconnectedness of Music, Dance, and Storytelling

  • Music, dance, and storytelling often intertwined in African cultures
    • Each element enhances and complements the others
    • Creates powerful, immersive experience engaging audience on multiple sensory levels
  • Storytelling through music and dance preserves and transmits oral histories
    • Myths, legends, moral teachings passed down through generations
    • Music and dance make stories more memorable and emotionally resonant
  • Rhythms and melodies guide movements and expressions of dancers
    • Synergistic relationship between music and dance
    • Dancers visually represent stories told through music and lyrics
  • Example: Mande epic of Sundiata performed by griots using music, dance, and storytelling
    • Recounts life of Sundiata Keita, founder of Mali Empire, through narrative, songs, and dance

Dance as Visual Representation of Stories and Emotions

  • Dance movements and gestures serve as visual representation of stories
    • Convey emotions, actions, and themes of narratives through body language
    • Facial expressions and costumes also contribute to storytelling
  • Dancers interpret and express meaning of music and lyrics
    • Rhythms and melodies guide movements and evoke specific moods
    • Improvisation allows dancers to add personal interpretations to stories
  • Dance enhances emotional impact of stories
    • Physicality and visual elements create deeper connection with audience
    • Encourages empathy, understanding, and retention of moral lessons
  • Example: Zaouli mask dance of Guro people in Ivory Coast
    • Dancers wear intricate masks and costumes to represent characters and spirits
    • Movements and gestures convey stories and moral teachings to the community

African Music and Dance: Global Influence

African Diaspora and Dissemination of Musical Traditions

  • African diaspora led to dissemination and adaptation of musical and dance traditions
    • Transatlantic slave trade spread African cultures to Americas, Caribbean, Europe
    • African musical elements blended with local traditions, creating new genres
  • African rhythms, instrumentation, and structures influenced various genres
    • Blues, jazz, rock, hip-hop trace roots to African musical heritage
    • Syncopation, improvisation, and call-and-response techniques evident in these styles
  • Polyrhythmic patterns and syncopation incorporated into Latin American and Caribbean music
    • , rumba, reggae, and other genres heavily influenced by African rhythms
    • African-derived percussion instruments (congas, bongos, timbales) widely used
  • Example: Blues music in the United States
    • Originated from African-American work songs, field hollers, and spirituals
    • Features call-and-response patterns, blue notes, and improvisation derived from African music

Contemporary Influence and Cultural Exchange

  • African dance styles and movements adopted and reinterpreted in contemporary dance
    • Modern, jazz, and break dancing incorporate elements of African dance
    • Emphasis on polyrhythmic movements, isolation of body parts, and grounded footwork
  • Global popularity of African-inspired music and dance has led to increased cultural exchange
    • Collaborations between artists from different parts of the world
    • Fusion of African elements with other cultural traditions creates new and innovative forms
  • African music and dance continue to inspire and influence contemporary artists
    • Sampling of African rhythms and melodies in electronic and pop music
    • Incorporation of African dance movements in music videos and live performances
  • Example: Beyoncé's "Black is King" visual album
    • Celebrates African cultures and aesthetics through music, dance, and fashion
    • Features collaborations with African artists and incorporates traditional African elements

Key Terms to Review (18)

Angelique Kidjo: Angelique Kidjo is a celebrated Beninese singer, songwriter, and activist, renowned for her powerful voice and eclectic musical style that blends traditional African music with various global influences. She has become an influential figure in promoting African culture through her music, emphasizing the importance of unity, social justice, and the empowerment of women.
Call and response: Call and response is a musical and social interaction pattern where one person or group (the 'caller') makes a statement or sings a phrase, and another person or group (the 'responder') replies with a corresponding statement or phrase. This dynamic is a fundamental characteristic of many African music traditions, fostering community participation and engagement in both music and dance.
Ceremonial functions: Ceremonial functions refer to the structured and often symbolic activities performed during important social and cultural events in African societies. These functions typically involve music, dance, rituals, and traditional practices that serve to reinforce community bonds, express shared values, and mark significant life transitions such as births, marriages, and funerals. The integration of music and dance into these ceremonies adds layers of meaning and enhances the emotional connection within the community.
Colonial influence: Colonial influence refers to the effects and impacts that colonial powers exerted on the cultures, societies, and economies of colonized regions. This often involved the introduction of new cultural practices, including music and dance, which were blended with indigenous traditions, leading to a unique fusion of styles and forms that reflect both colonial and local elements.
Community bonding: Community bonding refers to the social connections and sense of belonging that individuals share within a group, which strengthens ties among members and enhances collective identity. This phenomenon is often reflected in cultural practices such as music, dance, and oral traditions, fostering unity and preserving shared values, history, and cultural heritage. Through participation in these activities, individuals reinforce their relationships with one another while also ensuring the continuity of their community’s identity across generations.
Cultural heritage: Cultural heritage refers to the traditions, customs, practices, and artifacts that are passed down from generation to generation within a particular society. It encompasses both tangible elements like art, architecture, and monuments, as well as intangible aspects such as music, dance, and oral traditions. Cultural heritage plays a vital role in shaping identities and fostering a sense of belonging within communities.
Djembe: The djembe is a traditional West African drum made from a single piece of wood and covered with animal skin, played with bare hands. It is known for its deep bass tones, sharp slaps, and resonant high sounds, making it an essential instrument in various cultural celebrations, ceremonies, and music-making practices across Africa.
Fela Kuti: Fela Kuti was a Nigerian musician, composer, and political activist, known for pioneering the genre of Afrobeat, which blends traditional African music with jazz, funk, and highlife. He used his music as a powerful tool for social change, addressing issues such as corruption, inequality, and the struggle against colonialism and military rule in Nigeria. Kuti's performances were marked by energetic rhythms and politically charged lyrics that resonated deeply with audiences across Africa and beyond.
Highlife: Highlife is a music genre that originated in Ghana in the early 20th century, blending traditional African rhythms with Western musical elements like jazz and swing. It became popular across West Africa, characterized by its upbeat tempos and vibrant melodies, often accompanied by dancing, reflecting a fusion of cultural influences and social commentary.
Kora: The kora is a traditional West African musical instrument, resembling a cross between a lute and a harp, typically made from a large gourd resonator and a long neck with strings made from animal gut. It plays a central role in the music of the Mandinka people and is often used to accompany storytelling and oral traditions, highlighting its significance in cultural expression and community bonding.
Mbube: Mbube is a traditional style of vocal music that originated in South Africa, characterized by its rich harmonies and a distinctive male vocal sound. It gained popularity in the early 20th century and became widely known through the work of groups like the Solomon Linda's Evening Birds. This genre is closely linked to the performance practices of African communities, showcasing both cultural expression and social storytelling.
Oral tradition: Oral tradition refers to the practice of passing down stories, beliefs, customs, and histories through spoken word from one generation to the next. This form of storytelling plays a vital role in African cultures, preserving not only folklore and myths but also significant historical events and cultural practices that shape community identity.
Polyrhythm: Polyrhythm is a musical technique that involves the simultaneous combination of contrasting rhythms, often found in African music. This complex layering of rhythms creates a rich and intricate sound, reflecting the cultural significance of rhythm in African societies. Polyrhythms are not just a musical feature but are deeply intertwined with dance, storytelling, and community bonding, showcasing the holistic nature of music in these cultures.
Post-independence expression: Post-independence expression refers to the artistic and cultural responses that emerged in African societies following their liberation from colonial rule, emphasizing themes of identity, nationhood, and the complexities of modernity. This expression found its voice particularly through music and dance, where artists explored new narratives that reflected both the struggles and aspirations of newly independent nations. The blending of traditional forms with contemporary influences became a hallmark of this era, revealing a rich tapestry of cultural revival and innovation.
Ritual performance: Ritual performance refers to a structured and often repetitive act or series of acts that hold cultural, spiritual, or social significance within a community. These performances are integral to various events such as rites of passage, religious ceremonies, or community gatherings, often incorporating music and dance as essential elements that enhance the experience and convey deeper meanings.
Samba: Samba is a lively, rhythmical dance and music genre that originated in Brazil, deeply influenced by African traditions brought over by enslaved people. It plays a significant role in Brazilian culture and is characterized by its fast-paced beats and vibrant movements, often associated with carnival celebrations. Samba reflects the blending of African rhythms with Portuguese musical styles, highlighting its cultural significance and social context.
Soukous: Soukous is a popular genre of dance music originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, characterized by its lively rhythms, intricate guitar work, and vibrant melodies. It has roots in traditional Congolese music and evolved from the earlier rumba style, becoming a significant cultural expression that reflects the social and political landscapes of African societies.
Storytelling through song: Storytelling through song is a traditional practice in many African cultures where narratives, history, and social values are conveyed through music and lyrics. This form of expression serves not only to entertain but also to educate and preserve cultural heritage, linking the community through shared stories and experiences.
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