The Nigerian Mvies

The Nigerian Mvies
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Saturday 3 September 2011

African Drums That You Can't Stop Thumping!

By Claudia Kasen


The rhythm of African drums really gets to you "you can not ignore it: it gets your toes clicking and you are feeling drawn in by the catchy, resonating beat and special sound of these age old instruments that have endured for decades and are still sought-after around the globe. Their influence has spread to various nations, most clearly the Caribbean, the West Indies and Latin America.

Perhaps one of the reasons they are so amazingly hot is that they do not require you to be well placed to read music or have great musical talent: if you have got a sense of rhythm you can love playing these drums for ages. In spite of their primitive simplicity: they're so basic; goblet formed, made generally of hardwood with goatskin stretched OTT; they have an enduring appeal and are played widely even today.

There are a few companies which specialize in the manufacture and distribution of these dazzling instruments and you'll have absolutely no issues in finding a source for them. Among the number one brands are Remo, Tiger, Kambala, Toca and Meinl. Some African drums are now manufactured in synthetic materials, but if you can get your hands on a genuine drum, made in Africa, although it is reasonably old, do not hesitate to buy it, as you'll have a treasure in your possession.

Go to nearly any African hamlet and you are likely to hear someone playing African drums, typically with an audience of one or two youngsters gathered around, with some listening and others dancing nonchalantly to the compelling rhythm. There are legitimate videos posted on You Tube, depicting just such scenes. You'll hear them being played in bars in Jamaica or in towns and towns in Nicaragua or Brazil. Once you have the drum in your possession, it is ready to be played and the more you play it, the more at ease you will be with the instrument. Play a bit of appropriate music on a CD and go with the music with the drum. You will find infinite ways of effortless entertainment for several hours.

The most famous African drums are the djembe drum, djun djun, bougarabou, gadzo, conga and kpanlogo but there are others and they have all played a vital role in African culture and religion for centuries. They are used at marriages, funerals, to celebrate births, in ritual dances, at the installation of chiefs and in numerous rites. To Africans they are an integral part of life and an indispensable accompaniment in the assorted events connected with African culture. Take a look at the many sites devoted to these drums and consider buying a few for yourself: you will own history and be linked to the oldest practices in the world.




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