OK, we’ve explored some West African History via learning about just a few of her instruments. I hope you take the time to explore more information not only on West African Instruments, but all of the musical instruments and genres coming from Africa. It’s the root of most of what you hear today.
I started off talking about the Jali/Jeli (African Words for griot) so I find it only fitting that I end this historical musical excursion with the pipes/voice.
Since I’ve mainly dealt with strings and percussions I’m going to add a wind instrument with the voices I so love.
The Tambin or traditional Fulani Flute of the Fouta Djallon Highlands of Guinea, is a three-hole wood flute.
The Tambin is revered for the profound effect it has on listeners, often bringing them to tears with its haunting sounds and melodies that reach deep inside ones soul. It is played all over West Africa by the Peul (Fulani/Fula) People. Because it is so long both hands are needed to play all the notes. These days it is used in public orchestras with a mixture of instruments and singing, as well as being played solo.
The Tambin is a tube with usually three holes. Traditionally it is wrapped around with leather and wax and decorated with sea shells. Two or more notes are sounded simultaneously and integrated with mouth sounds.
You can go online to hear this sweet instrument!
Now on to voices that move me to tears; and guess what? I don’t understand most of what they are saying, but my soul and spirit so connects with their music. Listening to them is like tasting something that is so good you savour it trying your best to understand the flavors on your tongue, but in the end you just close your eyes enjoy the taste.
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| Tambin/Fulani Flute |
Cheikh Lô was born in 1955, to Senegalese parents in the small town of Bobo Dioulasso in Burkina Faso not far from the border with Mali. He grew up speaking Bambara (Mali), Wolof (Senegal) and French. His father was from a long line of Marabouts.
Lô began playing drums and singing at an early age. He joined Orchestre Volta Jazz, an ensemble that played Cuban and Congolese pop songs as well as traditional Burkinabé Music. Lô moved to Senegal in 1978. By 1985 he was playing guitar with numerous Côte d’Ivoire and French musicians, which lead him to record in Paris in 1987. While recording as a session musician as well, he started developing his own sound, described as a mix of Mbalax, Reggae and Soukous.
Most people mistake him for being a Rasta, but that is far from the truth. In fact he is a Baye Fall a sect of the Mouride Brotherhood that started in Senegal.
My favorite song by him, “Ne La Thiass”.http://www.amazon.com/Ne-La-Thiass-Cheikh-Lo/
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| Cheikh Lô |
Salif Keita was born an albino, a sign of bad luck to his people and was shunned and ostracized by his family and community alike.
He originally wished to become a teacher, but unemployment at that time was high, so he switched to music. In Mali, musicians were often thought of as dissolute and irresponsible; also for a son of a royal family to go into a job that was traditionally the preserve of the lower castes was virtually unthinkable. His poor eyesight also contributed to his personal sense of alienation.
In 1967 he moved to Bamako where he began playing in nightclubs with one of his brothers. Due to increasing political unrest, Salif Keita left Mali in the mid-'70s for the Ivory Coast and in. 1984 Salif Keita moved to Paris.
Keita's music blends together the traditional Jali music of his Malian childhood with other West African influences from Cuba, Spain and Portugal.
I cant’ say which is my favorite, but I’m partial to Yamore! I enjoy his early music more than so much of the studio mixes of his latter works. This man’s voice is so sweet!
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| Mr. Salif Keita |
One place I know you can find it and sample for free is Amazon.com. Once you sampled you can check out the tunes you like on Youtube or just get your own.
http://www.amazon.com/Moffou-Salif-Keita/dp/B00005UW5X
By the way, I left you some homework. Look up the info I have underlined to give you a deeper understanding.
Have a blessed weekend!
Enjoy!!!!
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