VPMA99H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Polyrhythm, Making Money, Lamellophone
11 Apr 2015
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Document Summary
Music closely related to social and political organization. Great variety hierarchical states to small egalitarian hunter-gatherer societies. Subtle differences that non-africans won"t be able to recognize. Since middle ages kingdoms with large governments have existed: Employed many royal musicians, performed on important occasions. Number of musicians in court is indicative of court wealth and power. Chiefs still sometimes exist, but have no power over country. Watch performer going up to the chief and bowing before him. Common features of african music: the concept of music: As in other societies, the word music is not always meaningful in a traditional african context. Music often implies dance and drama as well, e. g. the. Kpelle people of liberia use the term sang for a beautiful dance step, a nice song or an elegant drum pattern: function. For work, dance, religion, life-cycle events, glorification of chiefs etc. Each function requires a different kind of music.
