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AFRICAN PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS
AGOGO
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An agogô (Yoruba: agogo, meaning bell) is a single or multiple bell now used throughout the world but with origins in traditional Yoruba music and also in the samba baterias (percussion ensembles). The agogô may be the oldest samba instrument and was based on West African Yoruba single or double bells. The agogô has the highest pitch of any of the bateria instruments. It is also used in the ceremonial music of religions in Yorubaland as well as in their new world practice, which are based on beliefs brought by slaves from Africa such as candomblé. It is the main instrument of Obatala and Orisa Nla (important Yoruba deities or gods). |
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AHOKO The ahoko is a wooden rod with nutshells, each containing loose seeds, tied to strings which are then tightly wound around the end of the rod. is a traditional percussion instrument originating from the central part of Côte d'Ivoire. |
BALAFON
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The balafon (bala, balaphone) is a resonated frame, wooden keyed percussion idiophone of West Africa; part of the idiophone family of tuned percussion instruments that includes the xylophone, marimba, glockenspiel, and the vibraphone. oral histories of the balafon date it to at least the rise of the Mali Empire in the 12th century CE. Balafon is a Manding name, but variations exist across West Africa, including the Balangi in Sierra Leone and the Gyil of the Dagara, Lobi and Gurunsi from Ghana, Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire. Similar instruments are played in parts of Central Africa, with the ancient Kingdom of Kongo denoting the instrument as palaku. In the Malinké language Balafon is a compound of two words: Balan is the name of the instrument and fô is the verb to play. Balafon therefore is really the act of playing the Bala |
The Sosso Bala: The Sosso Bala is a balafon, currently kept in the town of Niagassola, Guinea that is reputed to be the original balafon, constructed over 800 years ago. The Epic of Sundiata, a story of the formation of the Mali Empire, tells that a griot named Bala Faséké Kouyate convinced Sosso king Sumanguru Kante to employ him after sneaking into Sumanguru's palace and playing the sacred instrument. Sundiata Keita, founder of the Mali Empire overthrew Sumanguru, seized the balafon, and made the griot Faséké its guardian. This honor is said to have passed down through his family, the Kouyatés, and conveys upon them mastership of the balafon to this day. Regardless of the truth of this story, the Sosso Bala is an instrument of great age, and was named by UNESCO as one of the Nineteen Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2001.
CASTANETS
The instrument consists of a pair of concave shells joined on one edge by a string. The origins of the instrument are not known. Altough it’s known that ancient Egyptians used it s not an original African instrument.
RAKATAK
Originates from Ghana. Rakataks are often used in traditional African or neo-pagan music.
UDU
In the Igbo language, udu means vessel. Actually being a water jug with an additional hole, it was played by women for ceremonial uses. Usually the udu is made of clay.
AFRICAN DRUMS
A) Aburukuwa - Akan Drum – Ashiko
B) Bara - Batá - Bendir - Bougarabou
C) Carimbo
D) Djembe - Dunun
E) Gbedu - Goema - Gudugudu
F) Igba - Ikoro - Ilimba
G) Junjung
H) Karyenda - Kebero - Kiringi - Kpanlogo
I) Marfa
J) Ngoma
K) Sabar - Sakara - Sikulu
L) Talking drum - Tar
Because of warning message in below from our musician friend Richard, we put OMELE drum out
Sender: Richard Olatunde Baker
E-Mail: richard@richardolatundebaker.com
Phone:
Subject: DRUMS
Message: Thanks for your lovely website, but I must point out that on the drums page, (http://www.afroturk.com/galeri/10/46) the drums you labelled as \"OMELE\" are in fact Indian tabla drumsand not omele drums. Omele drums refer to any Yoruba drum that plays support, so they can be bata, dun dun(talking drums), samara or other drum that is playing a support pattern to other drums.
Best Regards,
Richard
www.richardolatundebaker.com
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Date: 03/12/2013 17:38:03
