Rhythmic Connections - African Music

Many African cultures have songs of the call and response form. A soloist sets the theme and is responded by an "a capella" (unaccompanied) chorus of close harmonies, irregular phrasings and syncopated rhythms.

In eastern Africa, the pentatonic scale (five note scale d, r,m,s, l,) was developed. Drum ensembles would perform strong polyrhythmic tunes which had come from the vocal literature. (Click here to listen to Eastern African Drum Music)

During the time of slavery in America, African slaves expressed their deep feelings and emotions through singing, movement and rhythm. The slaves were not allowed to have any rights, and consequently no communication with each other, apart from permission to do so by their master on the plantation. Nor were they allowed to read or write. Spiritual songs with references to biblical characters were sung, such as David, Ezekiel, Abraham and Elijah (Click here to listen to "Oh Rock My Soul in the Spirit of Abraham). These provided role models for the slaves, that they one day might overcome captivity in slavery and again be free people.

Harriet Tubman, a liberator of slaves, used spiritual texts as codes, so that slaves on following directions would be able to escape by underground railway from the south to the north and freedom.