History of Musical Instruments in Precolonial Africa
Before colonization in Africa, a lot of musical instruments were as a result of Africans doing almost everything with music. Soon they created several types for every occasion. Beautiful harmonies filled the atmosphere during weddings, prayers were made with tambourines, rites with harps, funerals with Cuba and consulting the ancestors with drums. For the most part of their education, they taught using songs in a very festive and exciting way. As people of old described to their children, peaceful living was the norm life and all they constantly celebrated life. Songs, music and dancing used in ceremonies, rituals or storytelling to pass down from generation to generation.
Africans particularly love good music and it is still evident in today's society, all they need is a reason and the drums come out. To begin our discussion for today let's go back to the 19th century. During those times, some drums were created and used only for special festivals. For example special drums for; making announcements around town, weddings or funerals. Also, only specific people elected used those special drums.
Types of Musical Instruments Originating from Africa
Enough about drums, let's talk about other instruments from various African countries:
- Balafon (Xylophones) from Gambia
Balafon, a musical instrument from Africa.
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- Mbira ’Thumb Piano from Zimbabwe
Mbira thumb piano from Zimbabwe
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- Slit gongs from New Guinea
- Rattles
African rattle from Malawi.
- Double bells from Cameroon.
- Ngoni
Ngoni from Mali
- Africa harp or Fiddle
- Kassa flute from Gambia.
- African trumpets from Congo
- Talking drum from West Africa
Gangan: Yoruba talking drum.
- African Banjo
- Panpipea from Zimbabwe
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These instruments are still used in music today, though they've been fine-tuned and simplified they've inspired different genres of music around the world. Music genres like; Rumba, Conga, Bomba, Cumbia, Salsa, Samba etc. Have you ever noticed how Black Americans or African artists songs always seem like they're telling a story? It's because that's what music has always been for us, a way to tell our stories.
