List of African musical instruments

List of African musical instruments

Welcome to the page dedicated to African musical instruments on Lasalledemusique.com. Immerse yourself in the rich musical traditions that resonate across the vast African continent, where each rhythm and each melody captures the vibrant essence of this ancestral land. This section offers you a list exhaustive list of traditional musical instruments originating from Africa, classified according toalphabetical order for easy exploration. Whether you are a passionate amateur or a researcher eager to discover the sonic treasures of this diverse continent, this collection invites you to explore the multiple timbres and captivating rhythms that make up the richness of African music. Immerse yourself in this fascinating sound universe where each instrument tells a unique story and testifies to the infinite creativity of African people.

As you browse, you will discover a variety of instruments with exotic names, testifying to the cultural and musical diversity that characterizes Africa. From the djembe to the kora to the mbira, each instrument offers a captivating insight into the unique musical traditions that have flourished throughout the ages across this vast continent. Whether you are attracted by the frenetic rhythms of percussion or the captivating melodies of stringed instruments, this list alphabetical will allow you to explore the rich sonic palette of Africa in all its splendor.

This list of African musical instruments also offers a dive into the history and culture of the continent, highlighting the importance of music in the daily life and rituals of different African communities. Whether you are fascinated by the instruments used during ritual ceremonies or by traditional entertainment instruments, this collection invites you on an unforgettable sonic journey through the multiple sounds and musical traditions that make Africa vibrate.

African instruments in alphabetical order

Below, find the list of musical instruments from Africa, in alphabetical order, with their origin, family, and other useful information.

Letter A

There is 2 musical instruments starting with the letter “A”.

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
Adjalin Percussion Drum Benign Wood, Skin The Adjalin is a traditional drum from Benin. Made from wood and animal skin, it is used in ceremonies and rituals.
Antsiva Ropes Harp Madagascar Wood, Strings The Antsiva is a traditional harp from Madagascar. It is made from wood and strings and is used in traditional Malagasy music.

Letter B

There is 5 African musical instruments starting with the letter “B”.

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
Balafon Percussion Xylophone West Africa Wood, Leather, Calabash The balafon is a percussion musical instrument from West Africa. It is made of wooden strips of different lengths mounted on a wooden structure with gourds underneath to amplify the sound.
Bendir Percussion Frame drum Maghreb Skin, Wood The bendir is a frame drum of Berber origin used mainly in Arab-Andalusian music. It is characterized by its skin stretched over a wooden frame and is often played with the fingers.
Bobre Percussion Drum Guinea Wood, Skin The bobre is a traditional drum of Guinean origin. It is used in traditional music and dances in Guinea.
Bombolong Percussion Drum Malaysia Wood, Skin The bombolong is a traditional drum from Malaysia. It is often used in traditional musical performances and ritual ceremonies.
Bundes Percussion Drum Uganda Wood, Skin The bunde is a traditional drum from Uganda, often used in traditional music and dances of the region.

Letter C

There is 1 African instrument starting with the letter “C”.

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
Conga Percussion Drum Caribbean Wood, Skin The conga is a multi-barrel drum originating from the Caribbean. It is often used in Latin and Afro-Caribbean music, providing a dynamic and captivating rhythm.

Letter D

There is 3 musical instruments starting with the letter “D”.

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
Darbouka Percussion Drum Middle East, North Africa Terracotta, Skin The darbouka is a cup-shaped drum widely used in Middle Eastern and North African music. It is made of terracotta or metal, with a stretched skin on top.
Djembe Percussion Drum West Africa Wood, Skin The djembe is a chalice-shaped drum originating from West Africa. It is made of wood with goat or cow skin stretched over the top. It is widely used in traditional music and rituals of the region.
Dum dum Percussion Drum India Wood, Skin The dum dum is a multi-barrel drum originating from India. It is used in traditional Indian music, notably in percussion ensembles called “dum dum chak” or “dum dum cha”

Letter E

There is 1 musical instrument starting with the letter “E”.

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
Ennanga Ropes Harp Uganda Wood, Strings The ennanga is a traditional harp from Uganda. It is made from wood and rope and is used in traditional music and ritual ceremonies in Uganda.

Letter F

Letter G

There is 3 musical instruments starting with the letter “G”.

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
Gasba Winds Flute North Africa Drink The gasbâ is a traditional flute from North Africa, mainly used in Arab-Andalusian music. It is made of wood and is often played during ceremonies and festivities.
Gambri Ropes Lute West Africa Wood, Skin The gambri is a three-stringed lute native to West Africa, widely used in the Gnawa music of Morocco. It is made from wood and animal skin and produces a deep, haunting sound.
Gongoba Percussion Drum Tanzania Wood, Skin The gongoba is a traditional drum from Tanzania, used in traditional music and dances of the region. It is made from wood with a stretched skin on top.

Letter H

Letter I

There is 1 instrument from Africa starting with the letter “I”.

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
Inanga Ropes Lute Rwanda Wood, Strings The inanga is a traditional lute from Rwanda. It is made from wood and strings and is often used in traditional Rwandan music as well as cultural ceremonies and rituals.

Letter J

Letter K

There is 5 entries in the list starting with letter “K”.

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
Kabosy Ropes Lute Madagascar Wood, Strings The kabosy is a traditional lute from Madagascar, widely used in traditional Malagasy music. It is made from wood and rope and is often used at parties and ceremonies.
Kalimba Ropes Thumb piano Sub-Saharan Africa Wood, Metal slats The kalimba, also known as the thumb piano, is a musical instrument native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is made of a wooden resonance box and metal strips that produce sound when plucked.
Kankangui Percussion Drum Guinea Wood, Skin The kankangui is a traditional drum from Guinea, used in traditional music and dances of the region. It is made from wood with a stretched skin on top.
Kayamb Percussion Idiophone Reunion Island Reed, Seeds, Ropes The kayamb is an idiophone musical instrument originating from the island of Reunion. It is made from hollow reeds filled with seeds or beads, and is often used in traditional Reunionese music.
Kora Ropes Lute-harp West Africa Wood, Strings The kora is a traditional West African harp-lute, mainly used in Mandinka traditions. It is made from wood and rope, and is often used in ceremonies and festivities.

Letter L

Letter M

There is 2 lines in the list starting with letter “M”.

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
Magrouna Winds Flute Tunisia Metal, Wood The magrouna is a traditional flute from Tunisia. Made of metal and wood, it is often used in traditional Tunisian music for its distinctive sound and its role in folk music.
Mezoued Winds Flute Tunisia Metal, Wood The mezoued is a traditional flute from Tunisia. Made of metal and wood, it is popular in Tunisian folk music and is often played at weddings and festivities.

Letter N

There is 2 musical instruments starting with the letter “N”.

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
N’goni Ropes Lute West Africa Wood, Strings The n’goni is a traditional West African lute. It is made from wood and strings and is widely used in traditional music of the region, providing a rich and distinctive sound.
Nyatiti Ropes Lute Kenya Wood, Strings The nyatiti is a traditional lute from Kenya, often associated with Luo music. It is made from wood and rope and is used in traditional ceremonies and festivities.

Letter O

Discover below the 2 instruments which start with letter “O” :

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
Oporo Percussion Drum Ghana Wood, Skin The Oporo is a traditional drum originating from Ghana. Made from wood and hide, it is often used in traditional rituals and ceremonies of different communities in Ghana.
Orutu Ropes Lute Kenya Wood, Strings The Orutu is a traditional lute from Kenya. Made from wood and strings, it is used in the traditional music of the Luo and Suba communities in Kenya.

Letter P

Explore belowinstrument of Africa which begins with the letter “P” :

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
Multiarc Ropes Lute West Africa Wood, Strings The pluriarc is a traditional West African lute. It is often used in traditional music from various regions of West Africa. This instrument is characterized by its multiple strings and its rich, deep sound.

Letter Q

Letter

Discover the only one below African instrument starting with the letter” :

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
Wheeler Percussion Drum France (Reunion) Wood, Metal The roller is a traditional drum from Reunion Island, a French overseas department. It is often used in maloya music, a traditional music of the island, and is played with wooden sticks.

Letter S

Explore the below 3 musical instruments starting with the letter “S” :

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
Sanza Percussion Lamellophone Africa Wood, Metal The sanza is a lamellophone of African origin. It consists of a wooden board on which metal blades of different lengths are attached. It is played by plucking the blades with the thumbs to produce melodic sounds.
Sistrum Idiophones Idiophone Europe Metal, Wood The sistrum is an idiophone musical instrument composed of metal bars attached to a wooden or metal structure. It is used in sacred and ceremonial music, particularly in religious ceremonies.
Sodina Aerophones Flute Madagascar Drink The sodina is a traditional flute from Madagascar. Made of wood, it is often used in traditional Malagasy music, providing soft and evocative melodies.

Letter T

Discover below the musical instruments starting with the letter “T” :

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
Tama Percussion Drum Senegal Wood, Skin The tama is a drum of Senegalese origin. It is often used in traditional Senegalese music, particularly in religious ceremonies and festivities. Made from wood and hide, it produces a deep, rhythmic sound.

Letter U

Explore belowinstrument from the list starting with letter “U” :

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
Udu Percussion Vase Nigeria Clay The udu is a vase-shaped percussion instrument originating from Nigeria. It is made of clay and has a hole at the top to make sounds. It is often used in traditional African music, offering a unique and warm sound.

Letter V

Letter W

Letter

Letter Y

Letter Z

Explore belowlist instrument starting with the letter “Z” :

Name Family Organology Origin Materials Description
Zokra Winds Wind instrument Tunisia Metal, Wood The zokra is a traditional wind instrument from Tunisia. It is often used in traditional Tunisian music, providing distinctive and rhythmic sounds. Made of metal and wood, it is usually played during ceremonies and festivities.

list of african musical instruments

The richness and diversity of African musical instruments reflect the continent’s incredible musical heritage. From the energetic drums to the haunting melodies of the strings and winds, each instrument tells a unique and captivating story. This list offers a fascinating insight into the variety of African musical traditions, highlighting the ingenuity and creativity of artisans and musicians throughout the ages.

The history of music in Africa is deeply rooted in the cultural traditions and social practices of different communities. From ritual music to contemporary artistic expressions, music has always played a central role in the daily lives of African people, serving to communicate, celebrate, heal and transmit knowledge and values.

Over the centuries, African music has evolved, influenced by cultural exchanges, migrations and social changes. However, despite these developments, African musical instruments continue to play a vital role in preserving and promoting the unique cultural identities of each region and people.

We hope this list has inspired you to further explore the rich history and musical diversity of the African continent. May these instruments continue to resonate through time, testifying to the creativity and passion of African musicians, and inspiring future generations to perpetuate this rich musical tradition.