Music of West Africa: Kawambe-Omowale African Drum and Dance Theatre Virtual Artist Residency Audience Guide
BEFORE YOU WATCH AND LISTEN Review the names and shapes of each instrument used in the performance.
The music of Africa is as diverse as the peoples who live there. Each region of Africa has unique musical and cultural traditions, and we can see this in the variety of drums and attire featured in musical performances.
Dono or Talking Drum Bell
Brekete
Conga Djembe Dunun Music of West Africa: Kawambe-Omowale African Drum and Dance Theatre Virtual Artist Residency Audience Guide
During the performance, pay attention to the different dance moves and clothing that change with each song.
“Kuku”: Dancers wear blue grand bubu (flowing “Bala Kulandjan”: When performing “Bala Kulandjan,” top), lapa (fitted skirt), and buba (top beneath some players wear a variation of a gran bubu, and other grand bubu). musicians wear tubay (pants; see “Kuku” photo).
“Bamaya”: Dancers add accessories such as pompom belts, ankle rattles, a fan, and a sash worn over the arm. During “Bamaya,” drummers and dancers wear some clothing made from batik fabric. This fabric is made by a special dyeing and wax-drying process that creates beautiful and unique patterns.
“Makuta”: Dancers wear flowing skirts, bloomers, puffy-sleeved shirts, and bandanas atop their heads, reminiscent of an African headdress. The light blue color is from Cuba. Musicians are also dressed in lighter colors (white).