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Basic 3 · Creative Arts · Thinking and Exploring Ideas

Music and Dance from Other African Countries

In this topic you will study music, dance and instruments from other African countries.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Name dances from other African countries
  • Name African musical instruments
  • Describe what these performances show about the people

What you already know

  • Music and dance from other communities (Basic 2)

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Performing Arts
Sub-strand
Thinking and Exploring Ideas
Indicator
B3.2.1.1.1 – Study and talk about performing artworks produced or performed in other African communities

Introduction

In Kenya, Maasai warriors jump high in a dance called adumu. In Mali, griots play the kora and tell history in song.

1. African Performances

Performing arts in Africa
PerformanceCountryWhat it shows
adumu (jumping dance)Kenya and Tanzania (Maasai)strength of young warriors
indlamuSouth Africa (Zulu)warrior spirit
griot songs with koraMali, Senegal, The Gambiahistory of families and kings
bata drummingNigeria (Yoruba)worship and celebration

2. African Instruments

Instruments
InstrumentTypeCountry
djembedrumMali and Guinea
kora21-string harp-luteMali, Senegal, The Gambia
mbira (thumb piano)plucked metal keysZimbabwe
talking drumdrumGhana, Nigeria
A djembe, a kora and an mbira
Figure 1: African musical instruments Draw one African instrument.Photos: Niranjan Arminius, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Steve Evans, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

New words

griot
A West African storyteller and musician.
kora
A West African harp-lute with 21 strings.
mbira
A thumb piano from Zimbabwe.
djembe
A goblet-shaped drum played with the hands.

Summary

  • African countries have many dances, like adumu and indlamu.
  • Instruments include the djembe, kora and mbira.
  • Performances show the history and values of the people.

Class activity: Rhythm Journey

  1. Look at photographs of African performances.
  2. Play a djembe-style rhythm on the local drum and shaker.
  3. Try a jumping step like the Maasai adumu.

You need: Locally made drum, Gourd shaker, Printed photographs of Ghanaian, African performances

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Which instrument is a thumb piano?

    • A. Mbira
    • B. Djembe
    • C. Kora
    • D. Flute
    Show answer
    Answer: MbiraThe mbira is plucked with thumbs.

  2. 2. Griots play which instrument?

    • A. Kora
    • B. Mbira
    • C. Trumpet
    • D. Piano
    Show answer
    Answer: KoraGriots of West Africa play the kora.

  3. 3. The djembe is a drum.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueIt is played with the hands.

  4. 4. The adumu is a Zulu dance from Ghana.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseIt is a Maasai jumping dance.

  5. 5. A West African storyteller and musician is a ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: griotThat is a griot.

  6. 6. Name two African instruments and their countries.

    Show answer
    Answer: E.g. kora – Mali; mbira – Zimbabwe.These are African instruments.

Homework

  1. Listen to African music on radio or TV. Name an instrument you hear.