Music of Africa
Daniel Sima
Professor Racanelli
12/11/17
The Mbira The African culture is one of the influences of the various art forms that join groups or tribes together. These art forms include singing, dancing, and making music with instruments. Africa is divided into five different subcultures that are all in one shape or another. Each, however, has the capability to learn from their ancestors and continue to modernize their art forms as how society calls. One instrument that has made an impact on the African sub cultures is the mbira. The subcultures that the mbira has made the most impact on are the people of Shona of Zimbabwe, The Republic of the Congo, and (insert last culture here). This instrument has made an impact on each of these cultures through different ways, but the results are the same. Just like many instruments, the mbira has the ability to change the pitch and tone. When making this particular instrument, each part is imperative to correctly construct. The mbira is a close relative to the lamellophone because it is played by plucking your fingers against the metal. The mbira is made from twenty-two to twenty-eight different metal strips, which attach to a hollowed-out bottom. Just like the structure of a guitar, the strips of metal vary in length, giving the instrument the ability to increase or decrease the pitch. The people of Shona have the most vibrant history with the Mbira. Shona people became resourceful in how they made the
The African beats, the wind instruments and the rhythms that have been passed down through the
Africans took stuff from the home lade to remind them of where they lived. The africans made drums to use on plantations so they could always remember where they came from. These drums were banned do to they could sent messages with the drums. The only instrument they were allowed to have banjo’s.
Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson all had many great accomplishments over the years that they served. Lincoln ended slavery, Washington signed many peace treaties and Jefferson was apart of many differnet offices. However Washington used his previous knowledge and negotionating abilities to solve issues with out war.
The biggest influence was felt in the sphere of culture – in dancing, music and religion. Andrew goes into detail saying how initially they were termed as barbaric by the Europeans and then in the 20th century there began a change of attitude when the idea of nationhood took roots. Capoeira, Cndomble and Carnaval are three of the significant cultural expressions that have their roots in the tradition of Africa. There is an underlying belief that Africa is very much throbbing and alive in these modern cultural renditions. Ironically the Europeans have also taken these on and absorbed them in their psyche.
Many may know that it can be almost impossible to completely identify what African Dance is. Africa is a huge continent that holds many different cultures, beliefs and overall ways of living. It is said to be the most “socially and racially diverse on the planet (wikipedia).” Even though Africa can be one of the most diverse places on earth, there can be similar dance styles being established throughout many other larges countries. Creativecareerguice.com states that “history, language, song, background, and purpose and cannot be translated to another dance of the same culture much less another
The roots of modern american rock and roll music, are firmly planted in Africa. As the native Africans were torn apart from their family’s and brought to the new world their lives were immediately and drastically changed forever. Finding themselves immersed in a completely new environment with a foreign culture, they thankfully persevered and carried on with their own traditions and most importantly to this paper, musical ones. Most American slaves originated from Western and Central Africa. The West Africans carried a musical tradition rich with long melody lines, complicated rhythms (poly rhythmics) and stringed instruments CITATION. The West Africans music was also strongly integrated into their everyday lives. Songs were preformed for religious ceremonies and dances and music was often a
f. The music in South Africa reflects the country, and the history through the Mbube music. Either male vocalists, and or female vocalists sing such. When the lead singer is singing his or her part, they are said to be telling their stories. Mbube music is said to be traceable to furthest back the 1920’s. It was created in Africa when migrant workers begun holding singing competitions in a form of entertainment after long work days. This carried plenty of history about the country because of how old this form of music was. Dating back to the 1920’s, it was able to help preserve lots of memories, facts, and even stories about what has happened. This was mostly popular in the time that Africa was living in
In 1979, China decided to establish a one child policy which states that couples are only allowed to have one child, unless they meet certain exceptions[1].In order to understand what social impacts the one child policy has created in China it important to evaluate the history of this law. China’s decision to implement a Child policy has caused possible corruption, an abuse of women’s rights, has led to high rates of female feticide, has created a gender ratio problem for China, and has led to specific problems associated with both the elderly and younger generation. Finally, an assessment of why China’s one child policy is important to the United States allows for a full evaluation of the policy.
American music is a tapestry of different colors coming together to make one beautiful picture. African-American music has had a major influence in the music of today.
Fashion and aesthetics of African American are set of qualities in art, and specifically in this paper dance and music that come from African art. Robert Farris Thompson’s observations of art in central and western Africa and Kariamu Welsh Asante’s observations of dance in Zimbabwe identify common themes of African art. Method of dancing is another way of incorporation and valuing the entire body and bringing together the music and dance.
largely beneficial in the lives of the working people. While workers in sweatshops are extremely willing to work in sweatshops, individuals in western nations often advocate for the abolishment of sweatshops. Individuals in the west who argue against sweatshops are often arguing for the interest of dominant groups in society. Arguing against developing countries trying to build their living standards and happiness through low wage production and manufacturing, is actually individuals and groups wanting jobs to stay in the wealthy nations instead of being sent off to low cost nations (Spath, 2002, pg. 125). Advocating for the abolishment of sweatshops is placing a barrier on an individual’s right to work (Danaher & Henderson, 2001, pg. 128).
From the 1500s to the 1700s, African blacks, mainly from the area of West Africa (today's Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Dahomey, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Gabon) were shipped as slaves to North America, Brazil, and the West Indies. For them, local and tribal differences, and even varying cultural backgrounds, soon melded into one common concern for the suffering they all endured. Music, songs, and dances as well as remembered traditional food, helped not only to uplift them but also quite unintentionally added immeasurably to the culture around them. In the approximately 300 years that blacks have made their homes in North America, the West Indies, and Brazil, their highly honed art
Africa has more than 800 languages native to its continent. African cultures are so diverse that they are different from any other culture of the world. African cultures contain many different languages. African languages range from common French to languages unheard of to most people such as Swahili. African arts are much different than American arts. Their art involves much more creative pottery, masks, and paintings. Africa has a very interesting culture. Reasons being the people are very creative and like to express their individuality. The most diverse cultures in the world belong to Africa.
When learning about a mbira music there were three things that we focused on. The first was to learn about the how the
Cultural forms practiced by African slaves on the plantations included music, dance, festivals, food and religion. Music, to slaves was a form of expression of a people who had hope. Music was expressed in the form of singing and drumming. Although the drum seemed like a simple piece