The glory ofAfrican music is inseparable from our long-time artistry with musical instruments.
However, it is becoming harder to distinguish African musical instruments because they are slowly losing their native touches.
Their sophistication and frequent use in international theatres prove that Africa deserves more credit.
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)Source: UGC
How many African percussion instruments are there?
20 famous African musical instruments
What instruments are used in Africanmusic?
The continent has since advanced its art to produce even better music equipment, inspiring international trends.
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1.
Krar Harp (Ethiopia)
A traditional Africanguitar from Ethiopiaand Eritrea.
It is also known as Kirar, Kerar, or Kraar.
The Ethiopian Krar Harp. Photo: @MenziesInstrumentsSource: Facebook
The body of thisinstrument resemblesa tambourine with a hoop and screw securing the vellum belly to the frame.
Variants of Mbira include Sanza, Agidigbo, Kisanji, and Marimbula of the Caribbean.
Made of a wooden board with attached staggered metal tines, it is played withthe thumbsand one finger.
The Banjo from Mauritius. Photo: @vangoaofficialSource: Facebook
Mbira is prevalent in hip-hop and otherAfrican musicgenres.
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Balafon (Mali)
The playing ofa Balafontakes after that of a xylophone.
The thumb piano from Zimbabwe. Photo: @geosshopofficialSource: Facebook
There are several variations of this valuable equipment, which can flexibly produce a wide variety of notes.
Ekwe (Nigeria)
Ekwe is a wooden drum-like traditional Igbo musicalinstrument designed withrectangular cavity sl*ts.
The Igbo people made Ekwe from different sizes of tree trunks depending on the purpose.
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7.
Earlier tales reveal that Akonting is a precursor of the modern-day banjo.
Kora (Senegal)
Kora is Senegalesestringed equipmentfrom the Jali families.
The Balafon from Mali. Photo: @africandrummingaustraliaSource: Facebook
The equipment is a calabash design covered in the skin forrelaxing accompaniments.
Its extensive use in modern entertainment has given birth to several variants, including the Gonje and Ngoni.
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Ekwe from Nigeria. Photo: @HerbPucciGreenSource: Facebook
Its popularity spilt to Central America in the seventeenth century, and several countries worldwide have adopted it.
Marimba is one of the indigenousAfrican Americaninstruments now called theMother of Songfor its notes and popular variants.
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12.
The Djembe from Mali. Photo: @rollymcjoySource: Facebook
It is also a standard instrument in Latin America, and it is played by shaking or hitting hands.
Xylophone (East Africa)
Axylophone isa musical instrument that first developed in the eastern parts of Africa.
The Orutu of Luo ethnicity and Ong’eng’o of the Kisii tribe are among themost famousin East Africa.
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15.
These African wind instruments' popularity grew beyond the people of Malinke to entertain the world.
Bowl lyre (Uganda)
The Basoga of Uganda gave us thisexciting instrumentcalled Endongo in the Buganda language.
The Akonting from Senegal. Photo: @KneconDesignzSource: Facebook
Its modern variations are now rocking the world of entertainment with fine tunes.
Uhadi musical bow (South Africa)
The Xhosa people are well-known for playingUhadi musical bowthat produces multiple notes.
The Sotho andZulualso use it in their compositions.
Kora Instrument from Senegal. Photo: @DjellibaDiarraSource: Facebook
The musical bow is speedily adapting to modern instrumentations and productions.
Mandole (Algeria)
The origin of thisAlgerian equipmentis often confusing because it bears a French name.
This steel-string fretted instrument has an almond-shaped body constructed in a box like a guitar.
Udu from Nigeria. Photo: @DeawMaeklongPercussionSource: Facebook
It was developed in the early 20th century and speedily went viral for its musicality.
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19.
It is made from cow skin, with an elongated goblet or roughly conical shape.
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What instruments were used in West Africa?
What are the five main categories of African musical instruments?
Thousands of African musical instruments categorize into five groups based on the sound produced.
Algaita from Nigeria. Photo: @TudunTsiraSource: Facebook
These are chordophones, membranophones, aerophones, percussion, and idiophones.
What are the eight types of African music?
There are, however, several others that are as well doing locally and internationally.
The Marimba from Zimbabwe. Photo: @WKEPercussionSource: Facebook
What are the popular north African instruments?
What is an African flute called?
Flutes have different names in different communities.
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The Tambin flute is a typical instrument found in the music of the Peuhl people of West Africa.
What are African flutes used for?
African flutes were initially used as a traditional instrument, most often in funeral processions.
Shekere from West Africa. Photo: @ChrisMartzSource: Facebook
They have also been used in contemporary and classical music since the twentieth century.
Did Africans invent the guitar?
Many people helped to develop this and many other musical instruments.
The Xylophone. Photo: @GratesCoveCoSource: Facebook
Who brought music to Africa?
TheEgyptians influenced Africanmusic by using various musical instruments such as harps, flutes, drums, and cymbals.
The arrival of Islam in the 7th century AD also had an impact on African music.
Fiddle musical instrument. Photo: @reverbmarketSource: Facebook
Islamic music also significantly impacted African musical traditions, particularly in North Africa.
Different African communities have played a central role in the development of global music.
Communities have used African folktale stories for purposes such as entertainment and education.
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Source: Briefly News
Jedidah TabaliaJedi is a journalist with over 5 years working experience in the media industry.
She has a BSc.
She loves traveling and checking out new restaurants.
Kassa flute from Mali and Guinea. Photo: @KassaFluteCo.Source: Facebook
She has worked for The Hoth, The Standard Group and Triple P Media.
Adrianna graduated from Nairobi University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 2020.
In 2023, Adrianna finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques.
The Bowl lyre from Uganda. Photo: @DepthAfricaSource: Facebook
you’ve got the option to reach her through her email: adriannasimwa@gmail.com
Uhadi musical bow from South Africa. @RoyalShakespeareCompanySource: Facebook
The Mandole from Algeria. Photo: @YanisTidjedamSource: Facebook
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The Ngoma drums from Congo. Photo: @drumskulldrumsSource: Facebook
The Bougarabou from West Africa. Photo: @AkwaabaAfricanDrummingSource: Facebook
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