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The roots of African music

Percussive instruments are a part of life in some African societies. Traditionally they have been used for:

• ceremonies of all occasions, from celebrating birth to respecting the dead
• calling to arms in wars
• religious rites and rituals
• communicating across distances

Music and dance are an integral part of the African culture. They used to and still provide a valuable way to communicate with workers in the fields or pass messages to other villages. The music can vary hugely throughout Africa but has similar purposes, eg for storytelling, welcoming heroes, and religious ceremonies. Music is seen to illustrate the importance of human life, to connect people and to support the sense of community. Music and dance are mainly performed by large groups in villages.

The music played by drum ensembles is very complex in rhythm and texture. The rhythms are not normally written down and are instead passed between people through aural tradition. The master drummer has the most elaborate part, leading the drum ensemble and playing solos. The leader directs the drummers with musical cues in the form of rhythm patterns. The leader will also give cues to dancers to signal changes of tempo or dance moves. As well as percussion-based music, there is a lot of singing, including shouts, yodelling and other types of sound.