African musical instruments consist of the flute, local drums of different sizes and sounds and their unique mode of dance. Africans are blessed with different cultures and tribes, each culture with their unique style of music and dance. The Tiv tribe dances to a slow rhyme of music that allows them twist like snakes, the fulani tribe display their culture showing their prowess in fighting for a bride, the hausa shows their allegiance to their king, the igbo and yoruba tribe likewise has their unique style of music and dance. All these combined brings out the beauty of African Music. In this post, I'll be outlining some beauty that's seen in the sector of African music from some of the cultures which includes the Gbagyi culture, Tiv, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and a few tribes.
The Gbagyi culture
The Gbagyi Music is unique in such a way that it has a tune and a style of beating that's done for different events. There's a style of drumming known as gargajiyaThis type of drumming is done on only special occasions that involve traditional rites for kings. It's characterized by its slow moves, picking one foot on the group and only lifting the other when the other touches the ground. There is music for festivals and for mourning, their style of beats is what tells what the event is. Just like other cultures, the Gbagyi dances with a masquerade and there are different masquerades for different events.
The Tiv and hausa Music
The Tiv music are often slow, more like songs that involves story telling. To this they dance in the rhythm of the music, twisting their body and curling up. Only people with flexible bodies can achieve such kind of a twist, they're one of the best dancers when it comes to African music and dance. The Hausa cultural music comes with several musical instruments such as the tambourine, local guitar, and drums. Some local musical instruments used in the olden days by the hausa people which some part of the hausa land still practice is the use of a calabash in a bowl of water. Their music is often of praises or speaking of their allegiance to a king or person in power. Their attires during musical festivals are white robes which they tie around their head and a style of dressing known as baban riga.
The Yoruba, Igbo, Idoma, Fulani tribes and others
Africa has more than 500 tribes and each of these tribes has their unique music and dance that fits the musical tunes. The culture that uses flutes as their major musical instruments is the Igbo. Unlike other tribes, their drumbeats are faster and this is followed by a fast pace of dance. The Yoruba people use the talking drum to add a good combination to the drumbeat. Each region showcases a different style of music and use of music instruments. The Fulani imitates the hausa when it comes to music but their dance is often a showcase of prowess, using sticks to fight as the drumbeat stir up their spirit. The one who wins the fight takes up the bride and dances around with her.
If you want to see music in their styles and beauty, visit the Africans.
Photos posted above were taken by me during a Gbagyi festival