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Benim
Map of Benim |
Population: 6,5 million
Capital: Porto Novo
Offisial language: French
Major ethnic groups: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important
being Fon, Adja, Yoruba,
Bariba)
Background: Dahomey gained its independence from France in 1960; the name was changed to Benin in 11035. From 11034 to 1989 the country was a socialist state; free elections were reestablished in 1991. (Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profile: Benim
In the colony age Benim was one of the shipping bases in the slave trade. This might be a part of the explanation to the fact that it 42 ethnic groups today.
In the first period of independence there where a growing music industry, but in early 11030s this changed. The marxist dictator Kérékou closed it down, and the rising stars moved abroad.
Benim is described as "The birthplace of Woodoo". In West Africa the word Woodoo has another meaning than the one most people have from the movies, it's not an evil cult. It's a religion that supports daily life, with a lot of characters, Gods and Goddesses.
Artists from Benim:
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Burkina Faso
Map of Burkina Faso |
Population: 12 million
Capital: Ouagadougou
Offisial language: French
Major ethnic groups: (60 ethnic groups), Mossi
over 40%, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi,
Bobo,
Mande, Fulani
Background: Independence from France came to Burkina Faso (formerly
Upper Volta) in 1960. Governmental instability during the 11030s and 1980s
was followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Several hundred
thousand farm workers migrate south every year to Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profile: Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso are one of the poorest countryes in Africa, with poor soil quality and small mineral resources. The French used it mainly for cheap labour.
Burkina Faso is a multy ethnic country with about 60 ethnic groups. Most important musically is: In the west and southwest, Mande culture with griots. In the north, the Fulbe people (fula or peul). In the center, the Mossi people with strong griot traditions.
After independence, in 1960, there was drought for two decades. In 1983 prime minister Thomas Sankara named the state Burkina Faso, "Land of Upright People". Since 1987, it has been a multy party state, but the same party has ruled since.
Burkina Faso still is a poor country, in fact one of the poorest in the world. So modern music have bad circumstances. But traditional music are better of, with strong drumming and balafon traditions.
Artists from Burkina Faso:
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Cameroon
Map of Cameroon |
Population: 15 million
Capital: Yaounde
Offisial language: French and English
Major ethnic groups: (more than 250 ethnic groups), Cameroon
Highlanders (including Bamileke)
31%, Equatorial Bantu (including Fang)
19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern
Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%
Background: The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon
merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed
stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and
railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite movement toward democratic
reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Cameroon
Cameroon is a brigde between West Africa and Central Africa. It is a multi ethnic society with over 250 ethnic groups, and of course, a lot of different languages, cultures and religions. It is the land of the Baka, pygmies. And it may be the orrigins to the Bantu people in Southern Africa.
Modern music life in Cameroon suffers from lack of music infrastructure. This is the reason why many artist from Cameroon has Paris as their base.
Makossa: The style who has been the main direction in Cameroon pop music since the 60s. Started as folk dance and music, with accordions and guitar. Transformed into pop makossa in the 80s.
Bikutsi: Originally Bikutsi was played at rattles and
drums and balafon. Bikutsi women tricked their men and the church with
complex slang lyrics for women only. They where singing about daily life
and sexuality and sexual fantasies. This is an old tradition. Nowadays
Bikutsi has changed, but the subjects remain the same. These lyrics is
a good example:
Action 69
The lift, every mans secret
I like men who are no fools
Those who knows how to
press my sensitive
button
The lift, that's every male's secret
I like a man who is no fool
I like a man who will suck me downstairs
I like a man who will suck me upstairs
too
I like men who sin on earth
I like men who sin in heaven too
Even the parish priest loves that
Instead of giving me a private service
He comes home to sin downstairs
And I like the priest who sin upstairs
too
And his mass will not be sad
as a funeral
ceremony
Because, every male is a boss
Even in his pyjamas
But only when he's strong and big
With his prick as solid as a man's
gun
Solid as a church's big candle
And I'll lick him up and down
And then, and only then, I'll ask
him
To press the button in my lift
Every male's secret ...
Katino Ateba
Artist from Cameroon:
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Cape Verde
Map of Cape Verde |
Population: 400.000
Capital: Praia
Offisial language: Portuguese
Major ethnic groups: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%
Background: Cape Verde is a dry and volcanic earth, dusty. Ten islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, almost an earth of the absurd, forgotten and skinny, an African archipelago in front of Senegal, in the half way between Portugal and Brazil. They where settled by the Portuguese in the middle of the 1500th century. Because of the poor and dry soil about 2/3 of the population lives abroad.
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Cape Verde
Racially/ethnic the people of CV is a mix of slaves from Africa and Portuguese and other slaves. The language is Kriolu or creole, an old style Portuguese mixed with West African languages.
The music is colored by the fact that the island is isolated. It often expresses a deep longing. Internationally the best known artist is Cesoria Evora, called "The Barefoot Diva" of: the Morna. It's slow and goes in minor keys. Morna is que quintessence of capeverdean music. Quiet songs, fullfilled with sodade, a feeling as difficult to explain as duende in flamenco. A melancolly felt because of missings. Missing the earth, the past times, the lost love, sadness caused by the passing of time and the lost of ilutions or the distance from the cretcheu, the lover.
The mornas origins are uncertain. But one thing is sure, it's pretty old (about one and a half century). In the early days it was performed with a solo singer and a string ensemble (guitar, fiddle and bass). It is supossed to have been developed in the XIX century from the portuguese modinha and is infuenced by fado and continental rythms, specially the ones imported by angolean slaves.
Eugenio Tavares introduces the romantic lyrics in
this style, the topics of love, emigration and nostalgia. Capeverdean songwriters
are as renowed as the singers, and there are examples like Teofilo Chantre,
Manuel Noves or Amandio Cabral, writers that Cesaria uses to choose in
most of her recordings.
Cesarea Evora has been the banner in capeverdean music in the occidental
world, but the music from Cape Verde counts with some other stars.
The male star in morna is Bana. In order to get some
fame he traveled to Lisbon with Cesaria, both of them helped by their manager,
Jose Da Silva, who organiced them an european tour. Cesaria was already
older than forty. Since that tour, Cesarea has recorded nearly ten albums
in the label Lusafrica, and has collaborated with heterogenic musicians
like Caetano Veloso, from Brazil, Ryuichi Sakamoto, from Japan, or Pedro
Guerra, from Spain.
But, as not all the morna is Cesaria, not all Cape Verde is morna.
In fact, the morna is the less african of the compositive forms, but the
one that has had more success in Europe and North America.
Coladeira is another style that has given some internationally recognized artists, like Maria Aliice, Tito Paris and Gardenia. Faster and more rhythmically complex style, the lyrics are less important, it's party music. In fact, coladera comes from "cola", that means "glue" in kriolu. It is not as lirical as the morna, in fact its use is the dance, a tight dance in which dancer keep sticked as if they had been greased with glue.
There are some other stiles. Funana was restored by the group Simentera the last decade. The accordion is central and it's a rhythmic style. It's more expressive than Coladeira, but the themes are similar. Batuco and finançon are much more angolean influenced, and much more difficult to occidentaliced ears.
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Equatorial Guinea
Map of Equatorial Guinea |
Population: 0.5 million
Capital: Malabo
Offisial language: Spanish (official), French (official)
Major ethnic groups: Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos),
Rio Muni (primarily Fang)
Background: Composed of a mainland portion and five inhabited
islands, Equatorial Guinea has been ruled by ruthless leaders who have
badly mismanaged the economy since independence from 190 years of Spanish
rule in 1968. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991,
the 1996 presidential and 1999 legislative elections were widely seen as
being flawed.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Equatorial Guinea
Equator Guinea is a small country, consisting of three former spanish colonies. People are very poor, and they've been suppressed by their own corrupt government for 30 years. About 2/3 of the population has left E.G.. This means that the music industry is almost nonexistent. Naturally a lot of the musicians of E.G. have moved abroad, some to Paris and some to Madrid
Artists from E.G.:
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Gabon
Map of Gabon |
Population: 1 million
Capital: Libreville
Offisial language: French
Major ethnic groups: Bantu tribes including four major tribal
groupings (Fang, Eshira, Bapounou,
Bateke), other Africans and Europeans 154,000
Background: Ruled by autocratic presidents since independence
from France in 1960, Gabon introduced a multiparty system and a new constitution
in the early 1990s that allowed for a more transparent electoral process
and for reforms of governmental institutions. A small population, abundant
natural resources, and foreign private investment have helped make Gabon
one of the more prosperous black African countries.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Gabon
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Gambia
Map of Gambia |
Population: 1,5 milllion
Capital: Banjul
Offisial language: English
Major ethnic groups: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof
16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%),
Background: The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in
1965; it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia with Senegal
between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and
cooperation treaty. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the president and
banned political activity, but a new 1996 constitution and presidential
elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 19103, have completed
a nominal return to civilian rule. The Gambia recently emerged from its
isolation to accept a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council during
1998-99.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Gambia
Gambia is a former British colony, who has a lot in common with Senegal, but it is less developed (industrialized). Some decades ago it was aa meeting place for exile musicians and others, but that is changed. Gambia is an old Mande society with a Griots, a cast of professional storytellers and musicians. Gambia has a lot of great Kora players. The Kora player Wandifeng Jobarteh wrote a lot of songs who are standard tunes in the gambian and mande repertoire.
An other interesting thing in Gambian music of today is all the similarities to the american blues. This phenomena is well documented from the blues historian Sam Charter who did a pioneer work at this in Gambia and Senegal.
Artists from Gambia:
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Ghana
Map of Ghana |
Population: 18 million
Capital: Accra
Offisial language: English
Major ethnic groups: black African 99.8% (major tribes - Akan
(inkluding Asante and Fante)44%,
Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%)
Background: Formed from the merger of the British colony of the
Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first
country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. A long series of coups
resulted in the suspension of the constitution in 1981 and the banning
of political parties. A new constitution, restoring multiparty politics,
was approved in 1992.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Ghana
Before the collony time, there where a empire in the same area, named Asante. When the Europeans gave up slave trade, the Asante empire took over and continued this busines. Gradualy the British took over controll in the area, named it the Gold Coast. Their main interest in the country was mining. Ghana became independent in 1957, as one of the first states in Africa. In the 11030 there was a serie of military governments. The last two decades president Rawlings has been steering towards democracy.
High-life, one of the major styles in Africa, comes originally from Ghana. This style is very popular Sierra Leone, Nigeria and in Congo. The high-life style started at the start of 19s century. It started with european influence together with african elements melting together with the local rhythms. In fact high-life was the first fusion between African roots music and western music!
At the early stage there were two directions in high-life, a ballroom/danse band music for the "elite" with large ensembles, and more rural direction (simple acoustic guitars, wooden boxes and beer bottles, and nasal high pitched singing) for the poor people. The dance band direction picked up elements from swing and jazz during the world war. ET Mensa and his band Tempos was main exponents for this direction. The rural direction developed further with the introduction of the electric guitar. EK Nyame with his Akan Trio in the late 50s, and Nana Ampadu and his African Brothers International Band in the early 60s, is central names in this direction.
The other main style in Ghana is the "palm wine music", originated in Sierra Leone. It's a relaxed, rural, acoustic guitar style. You may call this a "Buy-the-Man-a-drink" music, from the palm wine bars. Unfortunately it's a dying art form. But the tunes lives on in the high-life music.
Artists from Ghana:
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Guinea
Map of Guinea |
Population: 7,5 million
Capital: Conakry
Offisial language: French
Major ethnic groups: Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller
ethnic groups 10%
Background: Independent from France since 1958, Guinea did not
hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. Lansana CONTE (head of the
military government) was elected president in disputed balloting. Security
clampdowns continue, although not as severe as in earlier decades. Reelected
in 1998, the president faced growing criticism in 1999 for his jailing
of a major opposition leader and widespread economic malaise. Unrest in
Sierra Leone also continued to threaten Guinea's stability.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Guinea
Guinea is an old Mande society. There is mande cultures in several countries in West Africa: Mali, Guinea, Senegal,Gambia and in Guinea-Bissau, and they are connected in three manding languages. Mande societies are also connected in their mutual history. It goes back to the old Mande empire, founded in 1240 by Sunjata Keita. See Mande cultures for more info on this and other subjects subjects.
Guinea is closely connected to the other mande societies. Or maybe the other way around. Guinea seems to be picking up new elements easier than i.e. Mali. Guinean musicians started to use electric guitars early (after the second world war). The guitar was soon integrated into the so-called neotraditional music. New instrument led to new ways of composing, the melodies had more shifting cords than. Most of the old mande music is built up around rolling harmonies. In the 60s guinean dance bands where the great thing with a afro cuban sound. Congolese rumba music was the big hit.
Another trend who started in Guinea is the "return
to folklore" campaigns*. President Sekou Toure
started this after independence in 1958.
Kora player Sidiki Diabate and Bembeya
Jazz was awarded the National Order.
Electric and acoustic kora player Mory Kante is the greatest star at
the world music stage from Guinea.
For more info on Guinea go to Mali.
* The main author believes that an other purpose was to give people "bread and circus", or in other words. Give the population something else to think about than the lack of material goods, freedom and human rights. This could be very wrong, but it's much used strategy in dictatorships.
Artists from Guinea:
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Guinea-Bissau
Map of Guinea-Bissau |
Population: 1,1 million
Capital: Bissau
Offisial language: Portugese
Major ethnic groups: African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fulani
20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%)
Background: In 1994, 20 years after independence from Portugal,
the country's first multiparty legislative and presidential elections were
held. An army uprising that triggered a bloody civil war in 1998, created
hundreds of thousands of displaced persons. The president was ousted by
a military junta in May 1999. An interim government turned over power in
February 2000 when opposition leader Koumba YALLA took office following
two rounds of transparent presidential elections. Guinea-Bissau's transition
back to democracy will be complicated by a crippled economy devastated
by civil war and the military's predilection for governmental meddling.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Guinea Bissau
Guinea-Bissau is one of the poorest nations in Africa, and there's been civil war there in 1998-2000. One third of the population is homeless, and the infrastructure is ruined. Now there's an ongoing democratizing process(look above), but the results are very uncertain. Guinea-Bissau is an old Mande society with the Griot, a storytelling caste.
The local music is called Gumbe, a modern version of the old traditional ceremonial music. It's a style with a lot of similarities with samba, but the rhythms are more complex. The language is Kriolu, a Creole like language. This kriolu music played a important role in the struggle for independence in the early 70s. I. e. Cobiana Djazz inspired many to join the liberation forces. Many of the members of this band was expelled to internal exile. Mama Djombo was a bit "luckier", the new socialist government loved them, and even "used" them abroad. People knew their songs by heart.
Artists from Guinea-Bissau:
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Côte d'Ivoire(Ivory Coast)
Map of Côte d'Ivoire |
Population: 16 million
Capital: Yamoussoukro
Offisial language: French
Major ethnic groups: (more than 60 ethnic groups) Baule
23%, Bete 18%, Senufou 15%, Malinke
11%, Agni, Africans from other countries (mostly Burkinabe and Malians,
about 3 million),
Background: Close ties to France since independence in 1960,
diversification of agriculture for export, and encouragement of foreign
investment have made Cote d'Ivoire the most prosperous of the tropical
African states. About 20% of the population are workers from neighboring
countries. On 25 December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote
d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government. The new regime has promised
to return the country to democratic rule in 2000.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Ivory Coast
With it's sophisticated studios the Ivory Coast or Côte d'Ivoire (the correct name) is a center in west and central african music industry. Artists like Salif Keita, Mory Kante and Kante Mamfila used the the Ivory Coast as a springboard to Europe and the rest of the world.
The Ivory Coast has 60 ethnic groups and many others that have migrated there. If you look around in old Ivory Coast music you will find vocal polyphonic traditions and xylophone is much used instrument. Some cultures have strong mask traditions.
Artists from Ivory Coast:
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Liberia
Map of Liberia |
Population: 3 million
Capital: Monrovia
Offisial language: English
Major ethnic groups: indigenous African tribes 95% (including
Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi,
Vai, and Bella), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from
the US who had been slaves), Congo People
2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean who had been slaves)
Background: Seven years of civil strife were brought to a close
in 1996 when free and open presidential and legislative elections were
held. President TAYLOR now holds strong executive power with no real political
opposition. The years of fighting coupled with the flight of most businesses
has disrupted formal economic activity. A still unsettled domestic security
situation has slowed the process of rebuilding the social and economic
structure of this war-torn country.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Liberia
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Mali
Map of Mali |
Population: 10,5 million
Capital: Bamako
Offisial language: French
Major ethnic groups: Mande 50% (Bamana,
Malinke, Soninke), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai
6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other (Senufou,
Dogon,
and Fulani) 5%
Background: The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent
of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only
a few months, the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship
was brought to a close in 1991 with a transitional government, and in 1992
when Mali's first democratic presidential election was held. Since his
reelection in 19103, President KONARE has continued to push through political
and economic reforms and to fight corruption. In 1999 he indicated he would
not run for a third term.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Mali
Mali is a Mande society. This culture goes back to the old Mande empire, founded in 1240 by Sunjata Keita.
There is mande cultures in several countries in West Africa: Mali, Guinea, Senegal,Gambia and in Guinea-Bissau, and they are connected in three manding languages. See Mande Culture/Griots for more info.
There are two castes performing music in Mali, and they have different styles. Griot's (in Mali and Guinea called Jelis), are entertainers, praisers and history tellers for the nobility's . Jeli music is low tempo music, with rolling harmonies, and with "blues feeling".
On the other hand is the ancient music of the hunters. This music has in modern Mali developed into the Wassoulou style, a faster, more funky or punchy style.
Griot/jeli music.
Mali was independent in 1960, Guinea in 1958. There are tight cultural
(and political) bonds between Mali and Guinea. In the 60s a afro cuban
sound came to Mali, partly from Guinea. Mande music and cuban rumba and
son are close. There's similarities in rhythms and in the "call
and response singing". According to the world star Salif Keita, electric
instruments were introduced to Mali through Guinea. The two countries had
similar cultural politic in the post colonial time.
The government held a campaign called "return
to folklore". Musicians or music groups where hired/started by the
governments. The official purpose of this politic was to stimulate
the original mande culture*. The best known example is Rail
Band du Buffet Hôtel de la Gare. See also Les
Ambassadeurs for more at this subject. Anyway, this politic idea, originally
from Guinea was successful. Music in Mali turned
away from cuban-dance bands with imitated cuban costumes, and back to the
original Mande culture.
In the early 80s there where two main directions in mande music. Salif
Keita and some others threw away the old instruments, and started to use
synthesizers. Another important trend was to go away from the old praising,
and start to sing about other themes. This was partly a reaction towards
the corrupt leaders. The musicians found few reasons to praise them. This
new trend has something to do with influences from the Wassoulou region.
In stead of praising the leaders they praised life.
Mansa
by Djelimadi Tounkara:
The Rail Band
has come to celebrate
Be you rich
or poor
Know that
this life is short
Make the most
of it!
Wassoulou music.
Griots/jelis aren't the only musicians in Mali. In southern Mali the
Hunters
plays a significant role. This is based in ancient cacred traditions. Songs
where accompanied by six string hunters harp and iron scrapers.
Another source for wassoulou music is a masked dance accompanied by two
djembe drums and dundun. Both traditions are pentatonic (five tone).
Musician here are not artists by birth but by choice, that's why they call
them self kono - songbirds. These two traditions developed into
the Wassoulou style. This is not praising music for a elite, the lyrics
concerns the whole population, and contents social advisees like women
issues. Topics are i.e. arranged marriages, polygamy, right to divorce,
and so on.
Female singers:
Jelimusolu is the female version of a jeli (griot). They are often
more free spoken than the jelis, with almost no praise singing. The lyrics
have a lot in common with the Wassoulou lyrics. Here's an example of a
love song,
the title is Jarabi:
Love is an
illness no doctor can cure
Wait for me,
my love, for I cannot live without you.
Loves knows
no father, no mother,
no brother,
or sister.
Love is blind
and deaf to all this.
What counts
alone is what you have said to me.
Fanta Sacko
The jelimusolu often have an independent lifestyle, in many ways this
is similar to the women's liberation other places in the world. This makes
them subject of gossip and jealousy, from men and more conservative women.
Anyway, they makes a lot of beautiful music.
The Blues feeling in Malian music.
The blues feeling in jeli or griot music is interesting. This phenomena
is well documented from the blues historian Sam Charter who did a pioneer
work at this in Gambia and Senegal.
Older singers in Mali and other mande societies often use cords from some
basic tunes or melodic structures, almost like twelve bar blues. On the
other hand we have found an article in The
Guitarplayer where some musicians from Mali is saying they don't really
understand the western world and this hang up on "The Blues link" in west
african music. From the main authors point of view it looks like
the american blues and Malian music has lot in common, they speak the same
musical language, but there is inevitable differences. One way to put this
is, it's the same musical language, with different dialect's. Anyway, the
basic attitude is similar in many ways.
The following record's is good examples of the similarities:
A Rough Guide to African Blues, World Music Network, 1998. a
intelligent sampler.
Taj Mahal & Toumani Diabaté:
Kulanjan,
1999.
Ali Farka Toure &
Ry Cooder: TALKING TIMBUKTU, 1994.
* The main author believes that an other purpose was to give people "bread and circus", or in other words. Give the population something else to think about than the lack of material goods, freedom and human rights. This could be very wrong, but it's much used strategy in dictatorships.
Local links to central artists in Mali:
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Mauritania
Map of Mauritania |
Population: 2,5 million
Capital: Nouakchott
Offisial language: Hasaniya Arabic
Major ethnic groups: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%
Background: Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed
the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in
11036, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario
guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Opposition parties
were legalized and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two multiparty
presidential elections since then were widely seen as being flawed; Mauritania
remains, in reality, a one-party state. The country continues to experience
ethnic tensions between its black minority population and the dominant
Maur (Arab-Berber) populace.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profile: Muaritania
Artists from Mauritania:
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Niger
Map of Niger |
Population: 10 million
Capital: Niamei
Offisial language: French and Hausa
Major ethnic groups: Haussa
56%, Djerma 22%, Fulani 8.5%, Tuareg
8%, Beri Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab
Background: Not until 1993, 33 years after independence from
France, did Niger hold its first free and open elections. A 1995 peace
accord ended a five-year Tuareg
insurgency in the north. Coups in 1996 and 1999 were followed by the creation
of a National Reconciliation Council that effected a transition to civilian
rule in December 1999.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Niger
Niger is a strong Muslim country, music as entertainment is not really accepted. It's a society with a lot of ethnic groups. Half the population are Hausa people. They live in central southern Niger. There are also Tuareg, a nomadic people, originally wandering around in great parts of Sahara and Sahel, now most of them have settled down, some in Niger. It's the Berberi, with beautiful polyphonic singing, fulani is another example of this singing technique.
In 1987 Niger started something looking like culture politics. A new government started to use music as something that can bring people together across ethnic differences. In 1990 there where founded a "Center for Musical Training and Promotion". Until mid-90s there where no commercial music industry in Niger, but lately something started to happen. Times will tell what's coming out of it.
Artists from Niger.
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Nigeria
Map of Nigeria |
Population: 123 million
Capital: Abuja
Offisial language: English
Major ethnic groups: Nigeria, which is Africa's most populous
country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups; the following are
the most populous and politically influential: Hausa
and Fulanii 29%, Yoruba
21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri
4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%
Background: Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new
constitution was adopted in 1999 and a peaceful transition to civilian
government completed. The new president faces the daunting task of rebuilding
a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through
corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In addition,
the OBASANJO administration must defuse longstanding ethnic and religious
tensions, if it is to build a sound foundation for economic growth and
political stability.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Nigeria
Nigeria is one of the largest countries in Africa, and with the largest population, more than hundred millions. Some say there are more than 400 ethnic groups. Since independence in 1960 the country has been unstable. There's been a lot of political violence, with hostilities between the major ethnic groups, and several military coups. Late Fela Kuti, singer, sax player, pianist, composer and politician, used much of his life confronting coup makers, fighting for human rights.
The ethnic groups Hausa, Igbo and Yoroba is most important when it comes to music.
The Hausa people live in the north. Percussion (over 100 different types) and Goje (a one string fiddle) are important in the Hausa music, both ritual music and more recreational music. Hausa people also use music to praise.
The Igbo people in the southeast, are very open to cultural influence. That's one of the reasons why there is so many instruments in use in the area. An interesting result of this open-mindedness is the significant brass band traditions picked up from Europe. Igbo people also where fast to pick up high-lifefrom Ghana. Other influences in Nigerian high-life was the "Ibo blues" and "palm wine music". Anyway high-life was one of the major music styles in Nigeria. The high-life song "Sweet Mother" is the best selling african song ever, with 13 million copy's. High-life music is almost absent in urban parts of Nigeria today. This is a consequence of the civil war in the 60s. The Igboes and High-life was discriminated out.
Yoruba is a highly developed pre colonial culture. Yoroba music traditions are mostly based on drumming. Most popular today is dundun. Music theater, a mix of traditional music and drama is also important.
The Yorobas developed their own "palm wine music", inspired by "palm wine music" from Ghana and Sierra Leone. In the 1920s this developed into something more percussive, the style JuJu was born. In the late 50s I. K. Dairo took JuJu a little further introducing accordion and electric amplified instruments. In the 60s the ensembles grew bigger, and the tunes was longer. 30 musicians, with up to four guitars a lot of percussion and background singers where not unusual. But juju was still basically a high-life influenced style. "King" Sunny Ade and "Chief Commander" Ebenezer Obey develloped this furter, adding more funcy Yoroba elements, creating a more genuine Nigerian style.
Fuji is the third important style in Nigeria. It can be described as JuJu without guitars, but that's not the whole truth. We have to add Muslim vocal feeling, and more percussion. It's a wall of sounds. Chief Doctor Sikiru Ayinde Barrister is known as the father of this music style.
A forth direction is Fela Kuti's Afrobeat, a fusion of black American and West African music.
Nigerian musicians don't charge much for a concert. They make theyr living by a phenomena named spraying. I.e. KSA and Barrister prayse the prominent and wealthy people in the audience, and they gives the artist money in return.
Nigerian artists, some with local links:
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Sao Tome and Principe
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Location: Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon
Population: 150.000
Capital: Sao Tome
Official language: Portuguese
Ethnic groups: mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves),
forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from
Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born
on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)
Background: Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th
century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa
in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of
which lingered into the 20th century. Although independence was achieved
in 11035, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s.
The first free elections were held in 1991.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Sao Tome and Principe
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Senegal
Map of Senegal |
Population: 10 million
Capital: Dakar
Offisial language: French
Major ethnic groups: Wolof
43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%
Background: Independent from France in 1960, Senegal joined with
The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia
in 1982. However, the envisaged integration of the two countries was never
carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. Despite peace talks,
a southern separatist group sporadically has clashed with government forces
since 1982. Senegal has a long history of participating in international
peacekeeping.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Senegal
Most countries in Africa has been eager to search for their cultural roots after independence. Senegal are no exception, but the process has been a little slower here. The main reason for this is in Senegalesian colonial history. The country was a colony for nearly 500 years, that's a very long period. First the Portuguese and then the french. Citizens of some big towns where given voting rights in France and french citizenship. This made them feel partly french, partly african. It looks like the Senegalesians in a way are ashamed of their roots, pretending to be european.
Islam in Senegal
Senegal has been basically muslim since the twelfth century, built
upon the brotherhoods of holy men (marabouts). Most of the Wolof
griots are members of a such brotherhood the Mourides. Mouridism
have roots in the Sufi tradition in North Africa (go to Cheikh
Lô for more info). Wolof culture had (and in many way still have)
a lot in common with the Mande
culture, a culture with three castes; nobles, griots and hunters. The
Frenchmen killed the nobles in the nineteenth century, leaving a gap in
the original hierarchy. The griots then turned towards "holy men" like
Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba. Now the wolof griot's praise their holy men and God
instead of the nobles. (This may seem a disrespectful way of describing
this, but that's not the intention).
Music in Senegal
The wolof's music is very rhythmic, the rhythms are called Mbalax.
This rhythm has it's origins from the mbung mbung drums. With a
dash of Afro-Cuban rhythms and American pop this is pretty funky music.
Youssou
N'Dour is the who started this transforming Mbung mbung rhythms to
electric rhythm guitar. At a later stage other electric instrument had
the same function.
Even the mande instruments kora and balafon are played hotter or more uptempo, than their used in Mali and other Mande cultures.
There are two names from Senegal at the world music stage: Youssou N'dour and Baaba Maal. Together with Salif Keita, they are the greatest names from West Africa. Youssou N'dour is a Wolof, and has a charismatic personality, and is "one of the boys", his very popular home in Senegal. Baaba Maal is more a intellectual type, born of noble family from the ethnic group Tukulor, he is not a worshipped in the same way. Both have great voices and contributes a lot to the music world.
In southern and eastern Senegal there also are "real" Mande societies. The music of this areas have a lot in common with the relatives in Mali and Guinea, but it differs a little. It has picked up elements from liturgical singing of Senegal's Islamic brotherhoods.
An other interesting thing in Senegalesian music of today is all the similarities to the american blues. This phenomena is well documented from the blues historian Sam Charter who did a pioneer work at this in Gambia and Senegal. This blues feeling is easy to hear in a lot of the west african music.
Artist from Senegal:
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Sierra Leone
Map of Sierra Leone |
Population: 5 million
Capital: Freetown
Offisial language: English
Major ethnic groups: 20 native African tribes 90% (Temne
30%, Mende 30%, other 30%), Creole
10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown
area in the late-eighteenth century), refugees from Liberia's recent civil
war
Background: Since 1991, civil war between the government and
the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) has resulted in tens of thousands
of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (well over
one-third of the population) many of whom are now refugees in neighboring
countries. A peace agreement, signed on 7 July 1999, offers hope that the
country will be able to rebuild its devastated economy and infrastructure,
but previous peace efforts have failed. As of late 1999, up to 6,000 UN
peacekeepers were in the process of deploying to bolster the peace accord.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone had a bad start after independence in 1961, the fact that it is very resourceful has let it open for different types of neocolonalismems. Since 91 there's been a civil war.
"Palm wine music" or maringa (the local name) is the main music style in Sierra Leone. It's a soft calypso like, call and response music that grew out of the palm wine shops. It's a poor mans drink and poor mans music. It started with one man and a guitar. Often a sailor from Liberia, who sat down and performed until someone bought him a drink. These sailors picked up over sea elements from Caribbean. This gradually developed toward bands playing the same music. Ebenezer Calender & Maringar Band made this music famous. This style developed further to a style called Milo jazz (they used milo cans with pebbles as percussion). SE Rogie introduced electric guitars, he moved to England where he worked as a "cultural worker".
In the last two decades the successful performers went abroad to perform, because of all the instability at home.
Artists from Sierra Leone:
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Togo
Map of Togo |
Population: 5 million
Capital: Lome
Offisial language: French
Major ethnic groups: native African (37 tribes; largest and
most important are Ewe, Mina, Kotokoli and Kabre) 99%
Background: French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Despite the
facade of multiparty rule instituted in the early 1990s, the government
continues to be dominated by the military, which has maintained its power
almost continuously since 1967.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Togo
Togo is a small country with around 4 million people. Togo has been a dictatorship since independence. In the early 1990s there where some social commotion, but nothing has been changed so far. This makes it hard for local musicians, they have to move abroad. Some to Europe and lately, some to Benim and Camerron.
Artists from Togo:
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Western SaharaMap of Western Sahara |
Population: 250.000
Capital: none
Offisial language: n/a
Major ethnic groups: Arab, Berber
Background: Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds
of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 11036, and the rest of the
territory in 11039, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war
with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991
cease fire; a referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed
and is not expected to occur until at least 2002.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)