World Music Exploration: Instruments and Genres

African Music

Djembe

The djembe is a solid wooden drum with a goat skin stretched over the top. Played with the hands, it produces three distinct sounds. Originally, the djembe served as an effective communication device across the Malian Empire.

Calabash

The calabash is half of a hollowed pumpkin gourd played with the hands. Sometimes rings are placed around one or more fingers, or two small sticks are used.

Kora

The kora is a 21-string bridge harp attached to a calabash gourd with cowhide stretched over the front. This gives the instrument a slightly different sound than a European harp.

Bira Ceremony

The Bira ceremony involves singing, dancing, clapping, and the shaking of the hosho (rattle) made from smaller gourds. Master musicians playing the mbira accompany all of this activity.

Mbira

The mbira has 22 metal tongues or keys plucked using the thumbs and forefingers. The keys are attached to a wooden base, and the instrument is mounted inside a hollowed-out calabash (pumpkin) gourd. Sometimes bottle caps are attached to the base and gourd, enhancing the idiophonic effect.

"Mbira Masters" dedicate their lives to the mbira as professional musicians and caretakers of Shona spiritual culture.

Cuban Music

Son Music

Son music originated in the Cuban hill towns of Santiago and Trinidad. Early son music primarily used Spanish instruments like the guitar, tres cubano (a three-double-string guitar), upright bass, maracas, and bongos. The clave and bell were the only African instruments initially used.

As Cubans migrated to cities, son music evolved, incorporating Afro-Cuban instruments like congas, bells, and timbales (designed after European timpani). The piano and trumpet further expanded the sound. Son in Havana became a rich tapestry of sound while retaining its playful character.

When Fidel Castro came to power, many Cubans migrated to New York City, settling alongside the Puerto Rican diaspora. Son music adapted to the city's fast pace, becoming louder and faster with added trumpets, trombones, saxophones, and vocalists. Musicians describe this evolution as "hot & spicy"—salsa!

Cha-Cha-Cha

Cha-cha-cha is a Cuban dance music style that originated in Havana in the early 20th century. Initially, cha-cha-cha music and dance were part of the social life of the city.