The Folk Music of Senegal

The music of Senegal is traditionally associated with the Wolof people, who make up a majority of the country’s population. The Wolof had a rich musical heritage and were known for their griot traditions.

Introduction

The folk music of Senegal is linked to the country’s history and geography. The region known as Senegal today has been inhabited by various peoples for centuries, each of whom has contributed to the music of the area. The music of Senegal is thus a reflection of the cultural diversity of the country.

The griot tradition, in which professional musicians are trained in the oral history and traditions of their people, is an important part of the music of Senegal. Griots are often considered to be the keepers of history and tradition, and they play an important role in passing these traditions down to new generations.

Senegalese music is also influenced by the music of neighboring countries, such as Mali, Mauritania, and Gambia. In addition, Senegalese music has been influenced by exposure to European popular music, such as rock and roll, jazz, and reggae. These influences have led to a number of hybrid genres, such as mbalax (a fusion of traditional Senegalese folk music with disco beats), which have become popular in Senegal and beyond.

The music of Senegal

Senegal is a country located in West Africa. The music of Senegal is diverse, reflecting the many influences that have shaped the country. Senegal’s music is a mixture of African, Islamic, and European traditions. The music of Senegal is an important part of the country’s cultural heritage.

Mbalax

Mbalax is the national pop music of Senegal and Gambia. It derives from traditional sabar drumming and often features simple, repeating horn riffs over a complex, polyrhythmic bass line. The genre gained popularity in the 1970s with the rise of bands like Solar System and Orchestre Baobab. Mbalax songs are typically call-and-response in nature, with a lead singer flanked by backup singers and musicians. The lyrics are often playful and lighthearted, often dealing with love and relationships.

Sabar

Sabar is a traditional drum used in the music of Senegal. The sabar is a goblet drum with a single skin head and a wooden body. The skin is stretched over the top of the drum and held in place with hoops. The body of the drum is usually made from a hollowed-out tree trunk.

The sabar is played with two sticks, one in each hand. The player strikes the skin with the stick in their right hand and then follows with the stick in their left hand. This alternating pattern creates a distinctive cycling rhythm that is an important part of Senegalese music.

The sabar is often accompaniment for other instruments, such as the kora or ngara horn, and it can also be played solo. When played solo, the player will often use their free hand to tap out rhythms on the body of the drum.

Hip hop

Hip hop music first emerged in the early 1970s in New York City, USA. It quickly spread to other parts of the US, and then to other countries. Today, hip hop is one of the most popular genres of music in the world.

Senegal is no exception. Hip hop has become extremely popular with young people in Senegal, who use it to express their identity and their ideas about society.

One of the most famous Senegalese hip hop groups is Y’en a marre (“Enough is enough”), which was founded in 2011. Y’en a marre’s lyrics often deal with social and political issues, such as poverty, corruption, and education. The group has been credited with helping to mobilise young people during Senegal’s 2012 presidential elections.

Reggae

Reggae is a popular music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, “Do the Reggay” was the first popular song to use the word “reggae,” effectively naming the genre and introducing it to a global audience. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the word reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.

Other genres

Other genres of Senegalese music include mbalax, a form of popular dance music that includes modern instruments such as electric guitars and keyboards (often synthesizers), as well as traditional ones such as sabar drums; and rap, which became popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The instruments of Senegal

The music of Senegal is largely based on the folk music of the Wolof people. The Wolof people have a rich musical heritage that includes a variety of traditional instruments. The most popular instrument in Senegal is the sabar, a type of drum that is often used in traditional ceremonies.

The kora

The kora is a 21-stringed lute-harp used extensively throughout West Africa. It is considered a national instrument of Senegal, The Gambia, Mali, Guinea, and Ivory Coast. It is also played in Mauritania and Burkina Faso. The kora is played in Sudan and Chad, and there are reports that it has been seen in Cameroon and Central African Republic. In the countries where it is played, the kora is known by different names, including ngoni (The Gambia), bioul (Ivory Coast), gongoni (Kenya), Akinjaly (Burkina Faso), and kitara or gitaar (Uganda).

The tama

The tama is a type of talking drum used extensively throughout Senegal in both traditional music and popular music. It is played with two sticks, one of which is used to beat out a rhythm on the upper side of the drumhead while the other is used to manipulate the tension of the drumhead by squeezing it with the hand. This produces a range of pitches that can be used to imitate speech patterns, and as such the tama is considered an important instrument in the Wolof tradition of griot music. In addition to its use in traditional and popular music, the tama has also been adopted by some Senegalese musicians who play Western-style music, such as rapper Didier Awadi.

The djembe

The djembe is a goblet-shaped African drum with a rope-tuned skin headed by goatskin. It is usually between one and a half and two feet tall, and is played with the hands. The djembe originated in the Mandinka tribes of Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast and other parts of West Africa.

The word “djembe” means “gathering” in the Bambara language of Mali. Djembes are used for celebrations, funerals, ceremonies, storytelling and communication. They are also played for recreation and exercise.

Djembes are traditionally made from a single piece of wood, but modern djembes may be made from carved staves or even molded plastic. The skin is usually tightened with wooden pegs or metal screws. Djembes can have different sizes and pitches depending on their use and region of origin.

The djembe has a versatile range of sounds that can be soft or loud, depending on how it is played. It can be played solo or in ensemble with other instruments.

Other instruments

In addition to the drum, Senegal’s folk music uses a variety of other instruments. The xalam is a type of lute that has a long neck and a round body. It is usually fretless and has four or five strings. The kora is another string instrument that has 21 strings and a calabash resonator. The ngoni is a small lute with four strings that is played with a pick. The sabar is a type of drum that is often used in folk music. It is barrel-shaped and has two heads that are covered with animal skin.

The history of Senegal’s music

Senegal is a country located in West Africa. It is known for its music, which has been influenced by a variety of cultures over the years. Senegal’s music is a mix of African, French, and Islamic influences. The music of Senegal is very important to the country’s culture.

Pre-colonial music

Pre-colonial music in Senegal was largely influenced by the music of Mali and Guinea. griots, who are traditional West African storytellers and musicians, play a large role in Senegal’s musical heritage. griots were originally associated with the Mande people of Mali and Senegal, but they can now be found across West Africa.

During the colonial period, Senegalese music was influenced by European military bands. These bands introduced new instruments and styles to Senegal, and they often performed for ceremonial occasions. Post-independence, Senegalese music has been shaped by a number of different factors, including the country’s geography, its history, and its diverse cultures.

Colonial music

During the colonial period, Senegal was a part of the French Empire and French influence on the country’s music was significant. The most popular form of music in Senegal at the time was mbalax, which is a Wolof form of music that combines traditional drumming with modern instruments such as electric guitar and saxophone. Mbalax was popularized by artists such as Youssou N’Dour and Orchestre Baobab, who blended traditional Senegalese music with elements of jazz, rock, and other genres.

After Senegal gained independence from France in 1960, mbalax continued to be the dominant form of music, but other genres such as rap and reggae began to gain popularity. In the 1980s and 1990s, a new generation of Senegalese musicians began to experiment with fusion styles, blending traditional music with hip hop, jazz, rock, and other genres. Some of the most popular fusion artists include Cheikh Lô, Wasis Diop, and Viviane N’Dour (the sister of Youssou N’Dour).

Post-colonial music

The country’s music scene was highly influenced by the country’s colonial history. After Senegal gained independence from France in 1960, traditional music began to take on a new form. Senegalese musicians started to experiment with Western instruments and styles, which resulted in a unique fusion of sounds.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Senegal’s music scene was dominated by mbalax, a type of dance music that mixes traditional Senegalese rhythms with Western pop and jazz influences. Mbalax was popularized by artists such as Youssou N’Dour, who is still one of the country’s most famous musicians.

In the 1990s and 2000s, hip hop and other contemporary genres began to gain popularity in Senegal. Since then, the country’s music scene has been marked by a diversity of styles and influences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the folk music of Senegal is a vibrant and important part of the country’s cultural heritage. The music is highly influential, and has been exported to other parts of Africa and the world. It is enjoyed by people of all ages, and is an important part of Senegal’s national identity.