Chamba Drum Research Paper

The African people of the island used drums made of carved harwood covered with an untreated

Bomba was played on big barrels that were found on the plantations, and any other thing that could be beat upon to keep a beat. In fact the word bomba means "drum". The people would take goatskin and stretch it over the mouth of the barrel. Some even added nails and screws to be able to tune them like today’s modern drums.

While in Barbados, Ligon writes about cultural adaptations which are evident between the European and African inhabitants. Ligon knew a slave named “Macow”, he entered Ligon’s house only to find Ligon playing a musical instrument (called the “Theorbo”) and singing a song to it. Macow waited, watched, and listened attentively to these noises the Theorbo created. What caught Macow’s interest was the fact that the Theorbo made different pitches in sounds. All Macow knew was the drum, and how it was only capable of making a single tone. Ligon stumbled across Macow a couple days after this had happened. He noticed that Macow had a large piece of timber in which he was trying to duplicate the sound of the Theorbo. What Ligon points out in this story is the fact that some of the African slaves (or servants) actually have the potential to learn the Arts. Macow adapted to Ligon’s cultural practices and tried to duplicate them with this act.

I want to try to my best capability to help and further the potential of this band. Even though we are losing many great seniors this year- we can still pursue greater things. I have nearly been on leadership before and I understand the values and expectations that have already been set. I enjoy working alongside all the fellow students here in the band and can’t wait for next marching season!

Music has always played a vigorous role in religious celebrations throughout history. Religions across the world have shaped our nations through music. There are various types of music in diverse religions across the world. Music is used to worship in many religions and it is spread across communities of the same religion. Music helps spread the gospel that is being preached.

Although Native Americans are known for their voice being a vital instrument, most rituals, songs, and dances are accompanied by an assortment of instruments such as, drums, rattles, flutes. Every instrument has it is own meaning and a purpose. In this section, the significance of these instruments as well as their structure and functionality is explored.

“O.M.G, I love that beat.” The few years I have spent in the United States of Americas, more generally in the western culture, it is very common to hear young people embrace such phrases in appreciating music. In non-western culture, music is always created for very specific purposes and one cannot just ‘love that beat.’ Music is more than just the beat, rhythm and a sing-along melody. In this paper, I will compare the traditional purpose of music and the culture of the drum in Native American and Ugandan tribes. Dr. Peck, in her book, Native American Music, defines culture as “way of life of a people, learned and transmitted from one generation to the next” The similarities in either

Since the beginning of time, music and dance has been a form of entertainment for millions of people. As audiences across the world prepare for dance performances, they typically expect to see something that is lively, exciting, and unique. However, what most audiences of dance and musical performances neglect to consider is the origins and importance these forms of dance and music have on culture. It is truly astounding how synonymous music and history have been and continue to be. Understanding the history and culture behind a certain piece of music only makes the experience more special than ever. People need to realize the significance music has had on the foundation and progression of each and every culture around the globe.

The water-drum and cow-horn rattle provide the percussions for most dance songs and many ceremonies while the fluted is to produce some sort of a melody. The water drum is a small, watertight keg, 12 to 15 centimeters in diameter, covered with a soft, tanned skin held in place by a hoop. A small amount of water is always kept in the drum; before playing, the head is thoroughly soaked and pulled tight until the specific high, pinging sound is achieved when the instrument is struck with a small, wooden beater. The cow-horn rattle is made from a pointed piece of cow horn attached to a wooden handle; the horn contains steel pellets and is closed at the top by a wooden disc. The use of the turtle-shell rattle, with its symbolic links to Iroquois cosmology, and the Gourd rattles are used only in agricultural and medicine rites.

The African tradition started way back when the slaves were brought over. While working in the fields, the slaves would sing and dance. They thought by singing and dancing, it would help them to keep their connection with Africa. The Catholic Priests tried to demolish anything which resembled “Devil Worship.” Traditions which the Africans brought over, the priests wanted to get rid of. That is not how the African tradition is, their religion is danced and celebrated. One big element which caused problems, was the drum. The Europeans were afraid of the power the drums had on the dancers.

Native American music has many different musical styles and within every Native American tribe there is a variety of musical styles and instruments played. Most Native American music dancers and singers are characterized by their different ways of dancing and the different types of instruments they play interpret from the tribe they originate from. The instruments the Natives used were all hand made, that it self symbolizes creativity and hard work. Drums and flutes were the two most made and played by the Natives. They way the Natives pounded on the drums was a way they expressed how they felt. The drums are the oldest instruments in the world; it is used in a handful of oral traditions. While the different American Indian tribes create and use drums in the different ways, most construct them in way where it is all very similar to each other. These drums aren’t the typical drums we see in rock concerts, we are talking about ancient drums where elk skin is wrapped around a

In this paper I will discuss Nigeria, a country that was created by European imperialism. Nigeria is located on the Atlantic Coast in West Africa and is border by Benin, Chad, and Cameroon. It is the largest country in Africa. Nigeria has three main tribes which are the Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo and other tribes as well. The official language of Nigeria is English although, the Yoruba, Ibo, and Hausa tribes represent the principal native language. Dance and music are a focal point in the Nigerian livelihood. The traditional Nigerian uses dance at births and deaths, on happy and sad occasions, and in worship. Nigerian music consists of many instruments. They are the trumpets, brass, vocals, percussion frame drums, kettle drums, double bass, flutes, and the electric guitar. Drums are considered very important to the Nigerian music and dances. In the Nigerian culture, art serves as a social or religious purpose. Nigeria is a celebratory country. Many holidays and festivities are observed by the Nigerian community to preserve their cultural heritage. Two of the most common are the National Day and The New Yam Festival. Traditional Nigerians have

The final istrument is the kora, this is an instrument still used in West Africa today.

As culture and society has grown, changed, so have percussion and the instruments used. When looking back, the impact drums and percussion had on these peoples is unprecedented. As said by many artists and musicians alike, drums are the backbone of any piece of music or band. What started as a simple object played with your hands has turned into a diverse, complex range of diversified snares, toms, bass drums, etc. Many current percussion and set players today trace the roots of their art and style back to the time periods mentioned. African percussion items like the djembe are still used in bands today, and are being produced and sold by the biggest brands in the drum industry. The instruments discovered in the past have encouraged many of us, including myself, to take a look at what we used to play as a community, and how it brought us together or even gave us hope, as witnessed during the Middle Ages. Percussion was a vital part of many cultures and now we hear it in everything: in the background of a commercial, in the beat of a song, or even in something as simple as a song you’re stuck listening to in an

The Ethiopian people have rich and diverse culture. A strong part of any culture is the music enjoyed and played by the people. In the communities, music plays a large role in social events and entertainment. Traditional folk instruments and music played at