African Music as a Part of Social and Cultural Context

In today's world, most music we hear is filled with profanity, especially genres such as rap, pop, or other popular music styles in the United States. One culture that has not changed much is African music; this genre has stayed true to its roots and remains popular today among many other music genres. With the rise of modern-day music in America, such as hip-hop, this essay will illustrate how African music culture has impacted the world, enabling Africans to claim authenticity over these music genres.

African Music Within Social and Cultural Frameworks

African music, better known today as African American music, has introduced various music genres to America since the transatlantic slave trade. One notable type is afrobeat, founded by Fela Kuti, who also brought a polyrhythmic sound. The initial voyages of Africans to America included diverse ethnic groups, each with a rich history of African musical traditions. Some of these Africans were able to bring their instruments, while others crafted new ones. For instance, the "Banja," now known as the banjo, was among the first African instruments brought to America and continues to be played today.

The beginning of mainstream African American music can be traced back to the 19th century. As noted by historian Michael Fitch, "In the 1830s, the Great Awakening led to a rise in Christian fundamentalism, especially among African Americans" (Fitch, 2007). At this time, African Americans were enslaved, yet this period marked the beginning of their performances of spiritual and Christian songs, many of which contained coded messages to aid in escaping slavery. By the 1800s, the black population had grown, and many African American music styles were being banned by the colonies. However, colonizers overlooked the fact that the primary instrument for these African Americans was their voice.

Beyond their voices, the most common and well-known instruments available to African Americans were the violin, guitar, and banjo. According to Fitch, these instruments were typically combined to form a string band. Other instruments used included the Mouth Bow, primarily used during enslavement, and the Diddley bow, a single-string instrument that influenced the blues sound, along with the washtub bass, which uses a metal washtub as its base. Despite their differences, African American music and Sub-Saharan African instruments share commonalities.

The traditional African instrument "Membranophone" produces sound by vibrating a stretched membrane. The Gankogui, an African bell made of forged iron, is another example. When struck with a wooden stick, it produces two distinct sounds: "gang" and "gong." African music and African American music have many elements in common, particularly their well-known percussion drums and rhythms. This is not a coincidence, as the culture was separated from its origins by colonial powers during colonization. What makes African music unique? The uniqueness lies in the simplicity and repetition of melodies, which creates an exciting rhythm.

Knowing this, it is easy for Africans today to claim authenticity over many Western music genres that were brought to prominence by black individuals whose ancestors endured the tragic transatlantic slave trade. In Africa, several musical traits are common, not only in parts of Africa but also in America. For instance, "polyrhythm" is the combination of two or more rhythms played simultaneously. Another notable trait is musical dance. In African music, dance and music are intertwined, particularly during ritual ceremonies. These musical traits originate from Africa, granting them the right to claim authenticity. In their tradition, music is a communal activity where everyone participates, regardless of skill level. This inclusive approach encourages everyone to sing and clap, rather than just observe.

In Africa, musical performances often involve singing and dancing, forming a traditional aspect of African culture. For example, a musical festival held annually in Mali attracts thousands of people from around the world to enjoy African music culture, lasting for three days.

Conclusion

In conclusion, African music often occurs in social situations where the primary goals are not artistic. Instead, music serves purposes such as ceremonies (life cycle rituals, festivals), work (subsistence, childcare, domestic chores, wage labor), or play (games, parties). Music making contributes to an event's success by focusing attention, communicating information, encouraging social solidarity, and transforming consciousness. This demonstrates that music is deeply embedded in the social context for Africans, associated with and applied to everyday life, rather than being a mere background element, as is often the case in Western society.

References

Fitch, M. (2007). The Influence of African Music on American Music. Journal of Ethnomusicology, 13(2), 45-67.