In traditional Africa, singing, the playing of instruments, dance and musical games all exist, but the Western abstract categories of music-classical, folk, popular-do not really apply. Songs and other arts are closely tied to social and political life, and music is created in a space outside of daily life. Musical instruments in Africa are conceived in relationship to human beings, and instruments are often decorated with human features. The sounds of instruments are understood as voices in the human sense. Instruments and singing engage in dialogue and dance is intrinsically involved. African music is improvised as the singer spontaneously weaves together previously established patterns and phrases, rather than recreating a completed composition. From its traditional roots, African music has incorporated many elements of language and influence from its European colonial occupiers.
Genre Guide 2000 · World/Folk