Music in Africa

Music is the heartbeat of Africa, and no other country has such a broadly diversified spectrum like South Africa and the songs and dances, “the Zulu” became known all over the world. There are in South Africa countless music styles and facets, particularly in the local Afro jazz, where Kwaito became especially popular, a mix of Township music with Hip-hop and rap. In general the Zulu's culture songs and dances have a very high value, because they wake feelings and can explain situations where words aren't able. Maskanda is, for example, the Zulu's songs which were sung originally only from a man for the selected girl. Maskanda is played with traditional instruments as well as with Igogogo (a self-tinkered guitar from edible oil canisters and steel wire). Groups like Ladysmith Black Mambazo or the „white Zulu“Johnny Clegg, who began his career at times of the apartheid as a street musician and by his common appearance with Zulu's musicians (volume Juluka and late Savuka) constantly in danger was to be accused, has carried the music KwaZulu-Natals and South Africa all over the world and has made them in the international hit parades popular.

The essential music instrument of all African people is the drum. Drum sounds shout, swear, connect and protect the people. With the traditional ingingu drum the Zulu stretches animal skins over calabashes. Roaring kettledrums give the rhythm with dances. A normal Zulu song and dance form is mbube ("lion"), it contents often political and social-critical nature. The most famous Zulu song, I think you already hear it, is: The lion sleep tonight. It is – with the national anthem N'Kosi Sikeleli Africa – not only the best known melody of South Africa, but also belongs to ten most successful hits of all times! Up to twenty million US dollars it should have played in worldwide. However, his composer, the Zulu Solomon Linda who had taken up it in 1939 died desperately poor in Soweto near Johannesburg.

by Madelaine & Elena