African Music – The Blog of Samite

Archive for the ‘African Music Blog’ Category

The bond between Africa music and its people is so tight that it is enjoyed by all senses including touch and sight and it spans lifestyles and cultures too.

Cattle are the central theme of music originating in East Africa.  In the South the predominant subject is food because societies are nomadic and in constant search of sustenance.  North-western Africa has very little cattle so the music there is reflective of the politics involving European domination.

The West coast of Africa, between the Khoi-San region and the northwest, combines  East African and Northwest characteristics.   There remain various Pygmy tribes in that area which gives rise to ancient rhythmic drumming music and dance.  Lastly, the far north is influenced by Islamic culture and there is little diversity within the north versus the style of music to neighboring areas.

For its European characteristics, the west coast of Africa has “hot rhythm” and metronome timing.  There are many meters and a form of singing that overlaps with a leader and chorus.

Vast numbers of instruments and styles are what typify the music of central Africa.  And in the east, Islamic textures bleed in, but they are not as dominant as in the north.   The music in the east includes vertical fifths with an uncomplicated rhythmic build.  Drums and other percussion instruments are less apparent.

The music of the center of Africa, or the Khoi-San, is much like that of the east, however it more simple in form and in instrument.  It includes the hocket structure, like the Pygmy region which incorporates a vocal quality that sounds a bit like yodeling.

For all its diversity African music has spread around the world and is currently enjoying a renaissance right at home again.  Assaulted by colonialism and slavery Africa music has remained true, an authentic art form finding popularity across the globe.

You are all invited to visit the main website of Samite and hear his delightful African music renditions.  Help the cause of world music by pre-ordering Samite’s latest CD album.

Click this link to read a more recent article on African Music and “My Music World”

A close look at traditional African music reveals a spectrum of influences; from the Arabic seeds of the north and its contribution to Egypt and Carthage, there are dominant strains that evoke sounds of the Middle East.  Specific locales to be included in this realm are Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania.

It’s not exactly what one thinks about with Africa, however the Continent is vast and includes many ancient cultures.  Not to be forgotten are the Sudan and Ethiopia, all clustered in this unique area of northern Africa.

Southern, West and Central Africa are solidly sub-Saharan and lure influences from North America and Western Europe.   This is the music most often associated with “Africa”.  There is an emphasis on rhythm and dance.  Various work songs evoke the early history of music in antebellum America.  There are different songs to accompany marriage, childbirth and hunting.  Some songs repel evil spirits, some honor good spirits and much of it is political.

Sub-Saharan music incorporates four regions:  The eastern section of Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi and Mozambique,  the South including Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia and Angola; Central, Chad, Congo, Zambia and music of the Pygmies, and the west which houses Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Togo and Nigeria.

African music uses various techniques not associated with this continent, like yodeling and melisma.  A broad spectrum of instruments are used.  Drums, rattles and bells create memorable melody and rhythm.

There are several kinds of xylophone and lamellophone, trumpets and flutes, but the most distinctive is the drum and it comes in many shapes and sizes.

English is the common language of Africa however specific local dialects lend themselves to the music.  A native singer adds an authentic component to a song whereas other songs are automatic for a western ear.    That’s because cross-pollination of music across the globe has brought a new dimension to traditional African music.

We invite you to listen to Samite as he pleasures your senses with the sounds and culture of Uganda and Kenya where he learned his style and crafted his unique skill.  There is an order form on his main website for you to pre-order his latest CD.  We are all excited about its release.

The Soul of Africa music is unique to the African continent but which everyone can enjoy.  Prepare yourself for a different experience that is grounded in folklore, mythology, Gods and legends.

The first thing you will notice about African music is the predominant rhythm.  It is based on tens of thousands of years of cultural evolution and it will make you want to dance.  In fact, dance is very much a part of the African musical experience.  African music is intended to link the things you can see, with the unseen and dance brings these unseen visions some clarity.

African music has strong percussive elements and these can be produced with various instruments reflective of their societies; friction sticks, clappers, cymbals and rattles, commonly used to create a beat.

Some populations rely on xylophones and the mbira, a musical instrument from sub-Saharan Africa that has been a part of African musical culture for 800 years.  Often referred to as a thumb-piano, its metal strips are plucked or depressed to create both rhythm and melody and to accompany a singer and provide a rhythmic component.

Of course, conventional drums create rhythm too, as well as, bells and even clay pots.  African music has always capitalized on what was available.   You will enjoy the beauty of this instrument as played by Samite on several of his recordings.

Some African societies emphasis percussion more than melody, but others rely on the melody instead.  For these cultures, the mbira is seen primarily as a melodic instrument.  Interestingly, in some societies the use of the mbira is restricted to Chiefs or other traditional hierarchical figures, particularly if the instrument is being used for a religious purpose.

There is much to enjoy about African music; an art form born of ancient mystery and wonder, and one which is readily shared with the world.  Thanks to modern technology, the Soul of Africa can be a part of your music library too.

Welcome to our new African Music Blog, a feature designed to bring you the latest news about the world of African music currently enjoying a worldwide following.

Thanks to our dear friend Samite, Soul of Africa sounds are available to a global audience.  The New York Times describes Samite’s music as “serenity” that “seemed almost miraculous”.  If you know about Samite’s extraordinary outlook on life, you will understand why his music is so transformative.

From his early years in Uganda where his grandfather taught Samite how to play a traditional African flute, to his escape from a political dictator to Nairobi, to the peaceful enclave of Ithaca, New York, Samite says music unites the world.  He blends African traditions with challenge, fear and ultimate rebirth.

Our African music blog will provide you with some of this history and perspective and update you on Samite’s latest project, an 8th CD focusing on Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Mathai of Kenya.  Samite is proud that the winner of this prestigious honor hails from his native Africa and he will strive for music that is worthy of the occasion.

Like Samite’s extraordinary life, music with African roots continues to evolve.  Historically African music has been difficult to record in writing; it is passed down in an oral tradition and that makes it very different from western music and even from the music of Northern Africa which has Arabic influences.

Sub-Saharan music involves dance as an extension of the expression of music.  Since African dialects involve tone languages, that is, the pitch of the delivery changes the meaning of essentially the same word, rhythm; melody and dance follow the tone of the voice to assist in the “translation” of the song.

We will provide a lot of exciting information for you to peruse, both traditional and modern.  So check back frequently with our African Music Blog and learn a little something new with every click of the mouse.