| African music is arguably the most influential music in | | | | Africa, this music was created as a form of |
| all of mankind. But it did not come out of a vacuum. | | | | communication. In time, it became an interesting and |
| The truth is that different regions of Africa were | | | | exciting, communal way to celebrate and mark |
| influenced by a number of foreign musical traditions. | | | | several major milestones in a person's life. For |
| For example, many nations in North Africa can trace | | | | example, there are literally hundreds of African songs |
| their more recent musical lineage back to the Greeks | | | | and music that celebrate marriage, childbirth or even |
| and Romans who once governed over the area. | | | | hunting parties. |
| Later there was also a substantial Middle Eastern | | | | Music is also played to scare off evil spirits and to |
| influence on their music. | | | | pay homage to deceased ancestors. African music of |
| Other parts of the African continent were similarly | | | | this type is almost always accompanied by a specific |
| affected by foreign music. Parts of East Africa and | | | | dance or ceremony. It is often performed by |
| the offshore islands were influenced by Arabic music | | | | professional musicians who have knowledge and |
| and Indian music in more recent times. While | | | | experience with ceremonial music. |
| Southern, Central and West Africa had been | | | | Because music from Sub-Saharan Africa focused on |
| influenced by the music of North America and | | | | communal singing, it was one of the earliest to |
| Western Europe. | | | | emphasize the use of harmony and structured singing. |
| Other African music can be attributed to specific | | | | These singing methods ranged from simple rhythmic |
| dance forms such as the rumba and salsa, which | | | | structures to incredibly complex and elaborate |
| were founded by African slaves who settled in Latin | | | | structures based on improvisation and several |
| America and the Caribbean. In this article we will be | | | | variations. |
| exploring the different kinds of African music and | | | | Instruments |
| where it originated. | | | | Though stringed instruments, bells, flutes and even |
| North Africa | | | | xylophones were all used in traditional African music, |
| The music of North Africa was strongly influenced by | | | | there is nothing more important than the basic |
| the music of ancient Egypt and the early Arabs. | | | | African hand drum. In fact, there are literally dozens |
| Although it is one of the least popular forms of | | | | of drums that are played on different occasions. A |
| contemporary African music, it is historically important | | | | few of the most popular drums that are used in a |
| and merits a good look at by all those interested in | | | | traditional African musical include: bougarabou, tama |
| traditional music. | | | | talking drums, djembe, water drums and a many |
| | | | different kinds of ngoma drum that are played in |
| Sub-Saharan Music | | | | parts of Central and Southern Africa. |
| No music is more purely African than music that | | | | These drums are almost always accompanied by |
| originated in Sub-Saharan Africa. Though many | | | | singers or choruses who often keep time with |
| regions were influenced by other nations, | | | | rattles, shakers, woodsticks, bells or by simply |
| Sub-Saharan music remains quintessentially African. | | | | clapping their hands' or stumping their feet. |
| Because writing and reading came late to parts of | | | | |