Summary of ethnic musical instruments originating in Africa

Darbuka

Raquy Darbuka Music Video – Monkey Mind

The darbuka is an instrument that spread along the Silk Road, primarily throughout the Middle East and Europe.

It is a goblet-shaped drum that is held under one arm and played by hand.

The basic playing posture is to sit on a chair or the floor with the drum resting on the legs, but there are also styles where the body is gripped between both legs, or methods of standing performance using a strap over the shoulder.

In performance, both hands strike the drumhead to produce multiple distinct tones.

Among percussion instruments, it has a relatively high pitch with a characteristically dry timbre.

While it is mainly used in the folk music of Arab countries, it is also played in many other nations, with names and designs varying from place to place.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Kanako

Report a problem

djembe

Djembe Solo by Master Drummer: M’Bemba Bangoura

The djembe is a traditional percussion instrument played in West African countries such as Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana.

It is a single-headed drum with a deep body, and the drumhead is made of animal skin.

Originating over 500 years ago, it was originally used in rituals such as harvest ceremonies and as a means of communication between distant villages.

Depending on the playing technique, its tones can be divided into three timbres—bass, mid, and high—and combining these produces a wide variety of beats.

Notable artists who play the djembe include Mamady Keïta.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Kanako

Report a problem

Ngoni

“Kaira” performed by Mussa Diabaté, Traditional Mali Music, N’goni l Met Music

The ngoni is a traditional guitar-shaped stringed instrument from the Walo region of Mali.

Its body is carved from wood, calabash, or gourd, and covered with animal skin such as dried goat hide.

It is smaller than a guitar, about the size of a ukulele.

It has fewer strings, and its tone is characterized by a light, rustic sound similar to a ukulele.

It is said to be the ancestor of the banjo, and like the kora, it is famously played by griots—hereditary professional musicians of West Africa.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Kanako

Report a problem

caxixi

Caxixi demo

The caxixi is a percussion instrument played in Africa by holding it in the hand and shaking it, similar to maracas.

Its bell-shaped, basket-like body contains large beads or seeds, which strike against a hard bottom to produce sound.

The bottom is made of gourd.

Thanks to this hard base, changing the instrument’s orientation while shaking allows you to vary the timbre—not just “shaka-shaka,” but also sharp clicks like “ka.” This feature is unusual among shaker-type instruments.

It can also be played with one in each hand.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Kanako

Report a problem

Adung

The Bow Harp “Adungu” Ugandan Music Sounds. (African Melodies Adungu’s)

The adungu is a string instrument of the Alur people in northwestern Uganda.

It is typically bow-shaped and comes in sizes that usually have between 7 and over 10 strings.

There are various sizes, and as with common string instruments, the larger the instrument, the lower the pitch.

Large versions that play bass notes are performed while sitting on the instrument, while smaller ones are played suspended by a strap or placed on the lap.

Notable performers include Ugandan musician James Makubuya and American artist Crystal Bright.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Kanako

Report a problem