Kabarak University
School of Music and Performing Arts
Bachelor of Music Theory, Composition and Performance
Y1S2
Unit Name: Music and Dances of Africa 1
Unit code: BMAM 120
Task:
Explain the characteristics of African music instruments.
Name of student: Mary Mkavita Mnjama
Admission Number: BMTC/M/3009/09/19
Lecturer: Prof. Mellitus N Wanyama
Date of Submission: 31/3/2020
Introduction
Different instruments have different characteristics depending on how they are classified. I have used classification to identify the characteristics of African instruments per their category of classification.
Idiophones
This are instruments that produce sound through vibrations of their own body or part of their bodies. They are played by striking, shaking, scarping purring or clashing together hard substances like wood or metal. In some instances the instrument is plucked for example the adongo from the Luo community.
Classifications of Idiophones
(a)Struck Idiophones
These instruments produce sound when struck with sticks. Examples include; Marimba from the Giriama, Rabai and Ribe community, Ngotho from the Embu community and Kiriandit from the Sabaot community.
(b)Hand Shaken Idiophones
These are instruments take are hand shaken for example gourds that are used to enhance the performance and add percussive texture. Examples include Kayamba from the Mijkenda and Uteo from the Giriama community.
(c)Rattles (Leg Rattles)
These instruments are made from tins or over-sized pea pods filled with pebbles or bar bearings. They are tied to the leg and sound is produced when the leg is shaken to provide a rhythmic accompaniment. Examples of tin rattles include; Ikayekeyeken from the Iteso, Chisasi from the Luhya community, Ndonga from the Digo, examples of gours rattles include; Erisege from the Kuria, Gicandi from the Gikuyu and Ajawa/ Puga from the Luo, examples of leg rattles include; Kigamba from the Gikuyu, Olutuala from the Maasai and Nzuga from the Mjikenda and Taita and examples of Pea- pod like Jingles include; Esimane from the Iteso, Endeke from Samia and Mbugi from the Rabai.
(d)Plucked Idiophones
These instruments produce sound when the strings are plucked. An example is the adongo from the Iteso.
(e) Other Types of Idiophones (Bells, metal ring and gongs )
This are instruments used to add rhythmic or percussive texture while some maintain the beat/pulse of the music. They include:
Cowbell
Examples
Ingimba from the Maragoili
Twonik from the Sabaot
Okot from the Luo
Shields.
Examples
Chikiwara from the Digo
Ndome from the Gikuyu
Purring Instruments
Examples
Vidundu from the Luhya
Tuthanju from the Gikuyu
Stems
Thira from Embu, Meru and Gikuyu
Mortar and pestles from the Mijkenda
Rings
Examples
Oduong’ from the Luo
Kengele from the Luhya
Ndekweinok from the Sabaot
(Slight drum for Ebo)
2. Chordophones
This are stringed instruments where by sound is produce when the string vibrate.
There are five categorises of Chordophones namely:
1. Fiddles
2. Harps
3. Lyres
4. Musical bows
5. Zithers
(a) Fiddle (Lutes)
There are single or double-stringed instruments which produce sound through the vibration of a bowed string. Examples include Shiriri/Shilili from the Luhya, Orutu from the Luo and Mwazigizi/zeze from the Taita. (Bowing)
(b) Harps( 3 or more)
Adeuadeu is the only Harp played in Kenya. It is from the Iteso community. It has a curved arm with turning pegs. The strings (which are five in number) that run parallel to each other and meet the resonator at an acute angle. It is plucked
(c)Lyres (3 or more)
These are strings stretched between a sound box and a horizontal neck attached to the body by two arms. Examples include Litungu from the Bukusu, Nyatiti from the Luo and Obokano from the Gusii.
(d) Musical Bows
I. Ground bows
II. Mouth bows
It is a string stretched between the two ends of a flexed stick. Examples includes Uta wa wadhi from Kenya, Okambulumbumbwa of the AaWambo from Naimbia and Umakhweyane of the Zulu from South Africa. (Plucked or strucked)
(e) Zithers
They are strings which are stretched parallel to the body of the instrument (stick, tube, and trough) there being no neck. An example includes Makhana from the Marachi from Busia.
3.Membranophones
(a) Single headed –slaping
(b) Double headed- can use booth hands to slap and (mute),Use stick and slap,
(c) Concave
(d) Cylindrical
(e) Circular drum
(f) Legged drum
(g) Hour-glass
(h) Barrel shaped
They are resonating bodies (cylindrical, hemisphere or hourglass) covered on one or both openings by a membrane (skin of an animal). It produces sound when the membrane is struck by hand or a stick. Examples include Sengenya drum from the Giriama community which accompany the Sengenya dance, Djembe form Mali and Guinea and Atumpan of the Asante from West Africa.
- Aerophones
They are pipes with enclosed air which is made to vibrate in various ways. The futher divided into:
(a) Flute
I. Oblique- Mulele
II. Transverse –Chivoti
(b) Pan Pipes
I. Ride instruments
(c) Horn –Guri from mbeere , Oluika
(d) Trumpet
1. Flute
In flute the player makes the air vibrate by blowing the air against the edge of the mouthpiece. Examples include Chitovi from the Girima in Kenya, Atenteben from Ghana and Tambin from Guinea and Mali.
2. Reed Pipes
They are played when the volume of air present in the instrument is caused to vibrate by a fine vibrating tongue called a reed. Examples include Zumari from Costal Region ofKenya, Bung’o from Costal Region Kenya and Zurna from Arabia.
Conclusion
From the classification of the different African instruments it is easier to identify the different characteristics each category of instrument has.
BIBLOGRAPHY
- Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, Foudation Music student’s book 2
- https://kassaflutes.com/about
- https://www.africandrumming.com.au/cart/atenteben-flutes
- https://www.britannica.com/art/aerophone
- https://www.britannica.com/art/membranophone
- https://www.britannica.com/art/zither
7. https://www.gondwana-collection.com/blog/okambulumbumbwa-musical-bow-of-the-aawambo/