Download Document

Stylistic Regions of African Music:
V. Khoisan Area
Stylistic Regions:
Khoisan Area:
Before Portuguese sailors landed in this southern region
of Africa in the late fifteenth century, little was known
about the Khoisan Area. In fact, European settlers in its
extreme southwestern corner did not encounter the
Bantu-speaking tribesmen until 1702 in an area west of
Port Elizabeth. Although most of this area (which
includes the Kalahari Desert) is comprised of arid
regions with sparse populations, many South African
historians claim that the areas inhabited by indigenous
tribes have the most favorable natural conditions.
Bushmen may be the oldest inhabitants of the African
continent, but their prehistory is obscure. Their
anatomy, language, and culture are unique among
indigenous African peoples. The characteristic clicks
gurgles and guttural sounds of their language have
influenced the Bantu and other tribes in the Khoisan
area.

Bushmen are divided into three main tribes: the
Kaikoum, the Auen and the !Kung. The Auen live in
the southern Kalahari; a few Kaikoum live in eastern
Ovamboland (South-West Africa); and the largest
group, the !Kung, live in the north, west, and central
Kalahari.
Musical bows such as this one are commonly
found in South Africa. Some have a resonating
bowl attached. They resemble the Brazilian
berimbau (see Chapter 2 overview). Different
pitches are created by increasing or decreasing
the tension on the bow.
The !Kung make music on all occasions all day long.
The sanza, the most common instrument, is used to
accompany dancing and singing and is played only by
men. The one-stringed fiddle, however, is played by
both sexes. The fiddle is made from bamboo with
animal sinew for the vibrating string, and a dried
calabash, ostrich egg shell, or the mouth provides the
resonating chamber. Though the music of the
Bushmen has not been studied extensively by
musicologists, they have a reputation as being
Southern Africa’s most proficient musicians.

Ethnomusicologist Henry Jeanne
demonstrates an array of African instruments
at the University of Cape Town, including
several instruments from South Africa, such
as an mbira, panpipes, and shakers. [Photo
by Fran Balshan].
These rattles originate in Zambia and South
Africa and are wrapped around the ankles for
dancing. Similar cocoon rattles can also found
in Central America [Image courtesy of Dror
Sinai/Rhythm Fusion --http://www.rhythmfusion.com].
Other traditional music can be found in all regions of Southern Africa. Much of the music in other
portions of the region has assumed a more contemporary form. In Angola, in particular, freedom
songs have continued to evolve since the rebellion against Portuguese rule began in March 1961.
These songs are concerned with the many villages destroyed by Portuguese bombs, the inhumane
living situations to which aboriginal people have been subjected, and other injustices.
  