African Music – The Blog of Samite

Posts Tagged ‘East Africa’

It is important for me to take time during my concerts to talk with my audience and answer their questions.  One question that I am frequently asked is where my instruments come from.  I have quite a collection – many that I take with me to every concert, but some that are so fragile or old so I keep them in the studio and they sometimes find their way into a recording.

I would like to share a story about a kalimba that I had in my possession for a very short time.

One evening we found a small package on the back porch.  I had no idea what to expect as I did not recognize the name on the return address.  When I opened it, I found a beautiful little handmade kalimba.  The top was wood and the bottom was made out of what appeared to be a sardine can.  It was painted blue with stars and moons along the side.

I immediately began to play the keys and the sound was so sweet – like chimes.  I played this little kalimba while my girlfriend read the letter that was enclosed.  The gentleman that sent it said that he had it made especially for me to give to one of the orphans that I work with when I visit East Africa.  He requested from the craftsman that it be fashioned to play lullabies.

I have to admit that my first reaction was to keep it for awhile – it sounded different from any other kalimba that I have and I wanted to record it!  I did play it for hours that evening and enjoyed every minute of it.

Eventually a group of orphans that I work with in Nairobi visited Ithaca NY for Christmas and I was able to spend some time with a young boy who I believe had a natural gift for playing kalimba music and was hopeful that I would send him home with one of his own.

On Christmas day this sweet lullaby kalimba found its home.

Samite

To understand music from Uganda it is necessary to know about the history of this strong and turbulent country. Samite’s music comes from deep within his soul, a soul that was assaulted by a brutal regime, but which was overcome with pure human spirit. That is what you hear in Samite’s music.

Uganda is a country in East Africa, landlocked with savanna plateau and combined with lakes and mountains. The most famous body of water is Lake Victoria, named while under British protection. Lake Victoria is the source of the Nile River and lead British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to refer to Uganda as “The Pearl of Africa”. The Ruwenzori Mountains are native to the mountain gorilla, a species on the endangered list.

Uganda achieved independence from Britain in 1962 and that vacuum gave birth to the brutal regime of Idi Amin. An estimated 800,000 Ugandans were murdered. The National Resistance Army had some success at restoring stability and in 1996 leader Yoweri Museveni became the first Ugandan elected by popular vote.

As peace returned to the people of Uganda, its army sent troops to the Civil War raging in Congo. When it withdrew forces thousands of Congolese people flooded Uganda seeking asylum and straining the fragile resources of that emerging economy.

To this day a people’s militia stands organized in Northern Uganda and it brings terror to the people there. Many people have been forced to fight with the Lord’s Resistance Army, including an estimated 20,000 children who have been kidnapped and made soldiers.

In spite of the challenging political history Uganda remains a fertile jewel of the planet, holding successful farms and coffee plantations. The AIDS epidemic is particularly virulent in Uganda, making this dreaded disease the biggest threat to that beautiful country, but also providing the inspiration for a unique and beautiful style in the music from Uganda texture.

As you listen to the music of Samite think of some of these things that influence the stories told and the emotions felt. You will find yourself wanting more and like those of us who bring you this blog, will become fans. Please be sure to order Samite’s latest CD, “My Music World.”

The story of Uganda music is much like the tumultuous history of the country itself for the last 100 years.

The center of Ugandan music is the city of Kampala and the area of Wandegeya.  The musical icon of this region is Bernard Kabanda who played a form of music called Kadongo Kamu, meaning “one guitar”.   This style of sound is revered by the older people of the villages, though it is a hard sell to the younger generations who enjoy more complex sound involving more instruments.

The newest form of music in East Africa is called takeu.  It is borrowed from the first letters of Tanzania and includes sounds from Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

In the central area of Uganda are the people of Baganda who constitute one of the largest tribes there.  The King of Buganda is Kabaka and he is the customary patron of the music.  In this region music includes drums and expressive dances called the Nankasa, Amaggunju and Bakisimba.

Unlike other tribes in Uganda which rely heavily on percussive elements, the Baganda incorporate melody with instruments like the entongoli lyre, the ennanga harp, aerophonnes, idiophones and lamellophones.   One of the largest xylophones in the world comes from this area and it is called the madinda.

In central Uganda are the Langi tribe and they create music with a reliance on the thumb piano, or okeme.   This instrument was introduced to the region 100 years ago by the Congolese.  Their lyrics also closely resemble the rap music of America.  The dancing that accompanies this tradition of music is particularly lively and features much jumping and marching.

The uganda music industry is growing quickly and as much as 40 % of the sounds you hear on Ugandan radio stations are from local musicians, showing there is widespread support for this authentic music niche that is spreading worldwide.

Our friend Samite brings you a true authentic form of Ugandan music instilled in his childhood and delivered with all the passion that is the true Soul of Africa.  Watch the video on Samite’s main website and you will be moved by his description of his mother playing a stringed instrument stretched between a bent tree sapling and a tin cover.

You will help the cause and spread the joy of African Music by pre-ordering Samite’s forthcoming CD.

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”