What type of music is popular in Senegal?

What type of music is popular in Senegal?

Mbalax. The traditional roots of Senegal’s national popular music, mbalax, includes the sabar and griot traditions as described above. The name “mbalax” actually comes from the name of the rhythm played by the middle-sized mbëngmbëng drum in a set of sabar.

What are the characteristics of mbalax?

Mbalax is a dance music style from Western Africa that melds traditional Senegalese vocals and percussion with jazz, soul, funk, and pop elements to create its distinct sound.

Who created mbalax?

But to use the term mbalax as a name for this popular music genre—that was first done by Youssou N’Dour. His was one of the first bands to include the tama, the small talking drum. The band Super Diamono, which was around at the same time that Youssou N’Dour had his band, they were the first to include the sabar.

What is mbalax dance?

“Mbalax (or Mbalakh) is the national popular dance music of Senegal and the Gambia. Mbalax is a fusion of popular Western music and dance such as jazz, soul, Latin, and rock blended with sabar, the traditional drumming and dance music of Senegal.

What instruments are used in Senegal?

Musical Instruments

• Sabar. by far the most common instrument in Senegal.
• The Tama. nearly as common as the sabar and is played by a larger number of ethnic groups than the Sabar, including the Wolof, Sereer, Fulbe, Tukuloor, Malinke, and Mandinko.
• Tabala.
• Kora.
• The Xalam.
• Djembe(Jembe)
• Balafon.

How is Le mbalax created?

CREATION OF LE MBLAX Le Mbalax was influenced by American Soul, Reggae, and Hip Hop. Senegalese people, started mixing Wolof and sabar with modern music. Le Mbalax a mix of modern music combined with sabar was created. Dancers soon developed quick-paced dances, to blend with the tempo.

What language is mbalax in?

Mbalax is a popular music and dance from Senegal and Gambia. Mbalax means accompanying rhythm from the traditional sabar drum in the Wolof language. The name was coined by Youssou N’Dour.

What are the most typical popular musical styles in Senegal?

The biggest trend in 1990s Senegal, however, was hip hop. Traditional culture includes rapping traditions, such as the formal tassou, performed by women of the Laobe woodworking class the morning after marriages. Modern Senegalese hip hop is mostly in Wolof, alongside some English and French.

What does the kora instrument sound like?

The sound of a kora resembles that of a harp, though when played in the traditional style it bears resemblance to a guitar played using the flamenco or Delta blues technique of plucking polyrhythmic patterns with both hands (using the remaining fingers to secure the instrument by holding the hand posts on either side …

Are Senegalese tall?

From Angola and Tunisia to Senegal and South Sudan, there is so much size and athletic ability across the continent. Some tribes in Sudan and Senegal have an average height of 6-foot-6, which also happens to be the size of the average NBA player. People in Nigeria, Mali and Congo tend to be very big and physical.

What is Sabar drumming?

The Sabar, which originated with the Serer people, is a traditional drum from Senegal (also played in the Gambia). It is generally played with one hand and one stick and is a very loud drum. A Sabar ensemble is an impressive sound, and the music and dance is often played at a frenetic speed.

Where did kora music originate?

History. The kora is a West African harp with 21 strings and a large calabash gourd body. According to Eric Charry, a historian of West African music, the instrument originated in the late 18th century, during the era of the Gabu empire, which encompassed present-day Guinea Bissau, southern Senegal and the Gambia.

How much does a kora cost?

Sizes & Prices