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June 21, 2005

African Rhythms

I'll be watching The African Rock 'n' Roll Years tonight, and will report back tomorrow.

On BBC4 at 9pm, it is the first in six programmes about West African music. Tonight it traces the roots of West African music to the ancient Mande empire that once controlled much of West Africa. The music was handed down from generation to generation through the hereditary praise singers, the griots.

Griots are a central part of Fulani culture. My colleague Steve has begun to learn to play the the traditional one-stringed guitar of the Fulani griots. He wants to use it to tell the story of Jesus in a meaningful Fulani way. He does a wonderful recitation of the Beatitudes, using a traditional Fulani griot tune. In his posting "Blood in the guitar", he tells of his experiences and insights, as he learned to play .

Best-selling artists Youssou N'Dour, Baaba Maal and Salif Keita appear tonight. Ali Farka Toure, Baaba Maal and Daara J support the theory that this region of Africa was the birthplace of major musical styles like the blues, reggae and hip hop.

Posted by Keith at June 21, 2005 05:48 PM