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Global Perspectives

African drumming is central to West African traditional music, characterized by syncopation and polyrhythms. This rich musical heritage arrived in the Americas through the slave trade, influencing genres such as jazz. Yoruba drumming, practiced by the Yoruba people in Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, serves both religious and secular purposes. The intricacies of polyrhythms involve overlapping rhythms where one drum maintains a basic pulse while others produce varied syncopated patterns. A prime example is "Ako," from the Egungun festival, showcasing complex rhythmic interactions that highlight the virtuosity of Yoruba drummers.

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Global Perspectives

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  1. Global Perspectives African Drumming

  2. Key Terms • Syncopation • Polyrhythms • Beat syncopation

  3. African Drumming • Central to most West African traditional music • Came to Americas via slave trade • Influenced many styles including jazz

  4. Yoruba Drumming • Yoruba people of Togo, Benin, and Nigeria • Many religious and nonreligious uses of drumming

  5. Polyrhythms • Overlapped, contrasting rhythms • One drum lays down a basic pulse • Other drums play variety of rhythms • Duplication of main rhythm • More complicated and varied rhythms with extensive syncopation • An entirely different pattern

  6. “Ako” • From the Egungun festival repertory • Played by virtuoso Yoruba drummers • Some clear polyrhythmic interactions

  7. Polyrhythms in “Ako” • Omele ako plays constant pulse • Eki plays recurring syncopated pattern • Iya ilu (mother drum) departs freely from main pulse throughout • At one point plays 3 + 3 • Feeling of triple meter against 4 + 4

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