Drums are a popular musical instrument in black Africa and are also known as the soul of African traditional music.

The functions and uses of drums are diverse in Africa. In addition to being used for music, they are sometimes also symbols of nations, tribes or religions, or used to convey various messages, the so-called "talking drums". drum". African drums have their own national characteristics, and are unique in terms of materials, shapes and playing techniques.

Generally speaking, there are dozens of basic drum types and hundreds of variations of drums in Africa. Drum, as big as a water vat or as small as a teacup. The shape of the drum body includes gyro-shaped, conical, pillar-shaped, square, as well as various bird and animal shapes, and even human-shaped ones. Some drums are also painted with various geometric figures and carved with flowers, plants, humans and animals, highlighting the characteristics of black culture. Drum skins are also diverse. In addition to the commonly used cowhide and antelope skins, leopard skins, zebra skins, lizard skins, crocodile skins, and even elephant ears are also used. Some devices are often added to the African drum to obtain certain special effects, such as placing some beads or dried plant seeds in the drum cavity, or placing metal sheets, shells, and colorful beads on the rim of the drum. When the drummer hits the drum, it makes a tinkling sound. There are also many ways to hold the drum. It is common to place the drum between the legs. Sometimes the drum is also held under the arm, hung around the neck, or slung over the shoulder. There are many ways to beat the drum. People beat the drum with their fists, palms and even their heels on various parts of the drum to produce different sounds and effects. Drum hammers are also used for beating. In the past, drum hammers were made from ivory and human bones. There is also a friction drum that uses a small stick to rub the drum head sprayed with some kind of powder to produce sound. In Nigeria, there is a small drum played under the arm. The pitch of the drum can change at any time according to the pressure of the arm on the leather strip of the drum body.

Drums can be played in solo, ensemble and ensemble styles. The rhythms of solo and ensemble drums are complex and changeable, with ups and downs, sonorous and powerful. When the drums are played collectively or when one person plays multiple drums at the same time, the sound of the drums is majestic, like thousands of horses galloping, majestic and exciting. Dancing is indispensable in African life, and dancing is inseparable from drums. In the Swahili language of East Africa, "drum" and "dance" are the same word. In Togo's singing and dancing activities, when to play music, when to dance, and even the speed of the rhythm and the progression of the melody must obey the command of the big drum. Female drummers in Mauritania dance and play the drums at the same time. Sometimes they flick the drum skin with their fingers, like clouds and flowing water, and sometimes they hit hard, like a rushing river. While they were beating the drums, they took turns flapping their arms and legs with both hands, making various gestures, which was very moving. Another example is in Burundi, where 10 male dancers hold big drums on their heads and perform while beating, forming a semicircle. Then each of the actors takes off the big drum and puts it in front of them. Another big drum is placed in the circle, and the actors take turns stepping forward to play. Sometimes they jump in the air, sometimes they spin and dance, and they are accompanied by singing. The strong rhythm, intensive drumbeats, and enthusiastic carnival scenes are very exciting. Drums often serve as symbols of countries and nations in Africa. For example, there is a drum in the national battle of Uganda, which shows an ancient tradition. Because before Uganda became a republic, there were four kingdoms. The royal family of each kingdom had a set of drums of different sizes, each with different names and timbres. This kind of drum can only be used on grand occasions such as royal weddings and funerals, the coronation of a new king, and declaration of war with foreign countries. For people belonging to different levels of power, the number of drums is stipulated. In the original Buganda Kingdom, there were 93 kings of huge ceremonial drums, and the chiefs at all levels decreased accordingly. When replacing the drum skin, Sacrificing humans or animals. This kind of drum is revered as a sacred object.

Djembe drums are also often used to convey information and language. The drummer uses different strengths and hits different parts of the drum surface to produce various sounds. Together with the different rhythms, they form different sounds. Various drum beats serve as a signal language to convey various messages. In the quieter moments of the morning and evening, the sound of the drums can be transmitted up to 15 kilometers away. The drummers repeat the drum sounds one after another, so that the "words" can be accurately transmitted at an amazing speed - to a location a hundred miles away. It can be reached within two hours.

In the past, when slave traders captured black people, Africans used drums to notify people to flee quickly, leaving the slave traders with nothing. Drum language is also often used to call on people to participate in public welfare work, resist enemy attacks, report fire alarms, etc.

Africans also often use encouragement to express things that are inconvenient to express in words. For example, among the Akan people in Ghana, husbands are used to using drum language to praise their wives at dances. Drum language can also be used to announce a person’s happiness. Birth, Death and Marriage.

In many places in Africa, a gathering to select drummers is held every once in a while. At the "Drum Competition" held in Ghana, drummers were divided into two groups to play drums against each other. First, bright and enthusiastic drum beats are used to praise the chief's virtues and achievements, then slow, fresh drum beats are used to narrate ancient myths and legends, and then rapid drum beats are used to announce news and interesting events within the clan. The complex and changeable rhythms in the drums express people's various emotions. Sometimes they make people sad and angry, sometimes they make people laugh. People hold their breath and concentrate for fear of missing a drum beat. The climax of the "Drum Competition" is the "Drum Fighting". First, one group of drummers asks a question, and the other group must use drumbeats to answer and ask counter-questions, otherwise they lose. The audience gathered around the drummer to help make suggestions, join in the battle, cheer, and find ways to defeat the opponent.

In short, the most prominent and important factor in African music is rhythm. Drums are the basis of African music rhythm and the most important instrument for expressing musical language. Drums play an important role in the lives of African people. It is unmatched by any other instrument.

Among the various drums in Africa, the most commonly used is a medium-sized drum called Dum Dum. It is usually placed between the legs and beaten with hands. The performance is often played with Very improvisational. In recent years, African drums have also entered the field of professional music creation. "Mother Nozibo", composed in 1990 by the Zimbabwean composer Domishani Mallari, is a new work performed with African drums and string quartet. It was performed by the world-famous Konos Quartet with great effect. good.

Customs:

1. Ways of greeting

A popular way of greeting in Africa - raising your right hand with your palm facing the other person, the purpose is to say "my The hand is not holding a stone." Obviously, it is showing that the custom of "without weapons" has been commonly adopted in various parts of the world since ancient times, but in slightly different styles. It can be said to be a symbol of friendship.

2. Negro and black are forbidden sentences

African Americans have no resistance to the word Black. However, when he heard someone call him Negro (which means black people, especially black people who were originally from Africa and were sold to the United States as slaves and their descendants), he became furious. Africans are not only resistant to the words Negro and Black, but also do not recognize their meaning. Emphasizing different skin colors is the biggest taboo in Africa.

When calling Africans, it is best to call them according to their nationality. Generally speaking, Africans have a strong sense of nationality, and calling their country by its name is very helpful to them.

3. The name African has a specific target

Calling black Africans African is a serious mistake. In Africa, the so-called African does not generally refer to all Africans, but to a specific group of people, namely: South Africans and Dutch whites. Therefore, the native Africans express their disgust openly when others call them African.

4. Don’t shoot behind the scenes

Every country has areas that are extremely dirty and populated by poor people, and the United States, the richest country in the world, is no exception. If you take photos enthusiastically in those dirty areas, the locals traveling with you will protest and even refuse to be your guide.

People in developing countries don’t like having their self-esteem damaged. This is a fact that tourists must recognize. Wanting to take pictures as soon as you see a backward scene is like looking for someone else's scum. It's better not to do such ill-considered behavior.

5. Don’t stare at each other

In ancient Ethiopia, waiters turned their backs to the master (or guests) to serve.

There is a superstition in Ethiopia, that is: when someone stares at you, either disaster will happen to the person being stared at, or death will come to him. In this country, when talking or meeting with local people, you cannot stare at them intently. Doing so will definitely make them very unhappy.

6. A firm handshake is a sign of goodwill

In Africa, a weak handshake is called "impolite". A weak handshake shows weakness and subterfuge and lack of sincerity, and they will be angry. Especially in Algeria, the firmer the handshake, the more respected it is. They believe that the degree of force is directly proportional to the degree of kindness of the other party, and it is best to hold their hands until they feel numb and painful.

7. Women are limited to shopping in stores

In Algeria, it is prohibited for women to travel alone. They can only move privately when shopping. They believe that a woman walking around alone is a loss of "character". As a lady, she must not do such a thing. Of course, there is no need for them to enter restaurants or theaters alone.

8. Strictly abide by the rules when engaging in hunting trips

If you want to go on a hunting trip (Safari), East Africa is the most ideal place. There are many taboos on hunting trips: no chattering. Because animals have extremely sharp hearing; they cannot walk out of the car at will. You think you are safe, but in fact, there are beasts watching nearby, but you can't see it; you can't light a fire at will. Someone once lit a cigarette and threw the match at random, causing a forest fire.

9. Leave a little bit

In western Nigeria, there is a special way of eating: you cannot eat everything, and the guest must leave at least one piece of something on the plate. . What's even weirder is that they kept the piece until the next day before throwing it in the trash. They thought the Holy Spirit would come and eat that piece of food. In this country, travelers must not eat all the meat or soup on the plate just to make the food delicious.

10. Cloaks and white clothes can protect you from danger

In Algeria and Guinea, you can often see women wearing ancient white clothes and cloaks. These white clothes and cloaks are symbols of chastity and purity. Everyone of the opposite sex dressed in this outfit has great respect, that is to say, they are regarded as women worthy of respect. If female tourists walk around in this way, they are guaranteed to have smooth access and will not be exposed to any danger.

11. The lens is like the muzzle of a gun

Africans generally believe that when the camera is pointed at something and the lens is taken, the "essence" of the object will be absorbed. It's no small matter. Photography of people, houses, and livestock is not allowed. If tourists want to take photos, it is best to say hello to the other person before taking photos and obtain permission before taking action to avoid being stoned, hung or beaten.

There is a cannibal tribe in Africa. Most of the people in their tribe will be eaten after death, especially those who are strong and have no diseases. For example, their eyes are given to hunters and their brains are given to stupid children. , giving their genitals to people with sexual diseases, etc. They know very well that what they eat is what they eat. They will also catch and eat the invading outsiders, but there is one thing, they only eat those with normal bodies. If it is a disabled person, then they will not eat it, but they will execute the person.