What is polyphonic singing of the Aka Pygmies?
The Aka Pygmies living in the south-west region of the Central African Republic have developed a distinctive vocal musical tradition, which involves a complex type of contrapuntal polyphony based on four voices, mastered by all members of the Aka community.
What is pygmy pop music?
Pygmy music refers to the sub-Saharan African music traditions of the Central African foragers (or “Pygmies”), predominantly in the Congo, the Central African Republic and Cameroon. Music is an important part of Pygmy life, and casual performances take place during many of the day’s events.
Where is the Aka tribe from?
Central African Republic
The Aka or Bayaka (also BiAka, Babenzele) are a nomadic Mbenga pygmy people. They live in southwestern Central African Republic and in northern Republic of the Congo.
Where are the pygmies in Africa?
Africa. African pygmies live in several ethnic groups in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Republic of Congo (ROC), the Central African Republic, Cameroon, the Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Madagascar, and Zambia.
What kind of music does the Aka pygmies listen to?
Music and dance form an integral part of Aka rituals including ceremonies related to the inauguration of new encampments, hunting and funerals. Unlike polyphonic systems that are written down in notation, the vocal tradition of the Aka Pygmies allows for spontaneous expression and improvisation.
Where do the Aka Pygmies live in Central Africa?
The Aka Pygmies are known as one of the oldest populations on the African continent, occupying parts of the Central African Republic and the Republic of the Congo. Music is a key element of the social and spiritual life of the community, and each person is introduced to musical practice at an early age with counting rhymes and singing games.
Who are the pygmy drummers in Central Africa?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Pygmy drummers, 1930 Pygmy music refers to the sub-Saharan African music traditions of the Central African foragers (or “Pygmies”), predominantly in the Congo, the Central African Republic and Cameroon. Pygmy groups include the Bayaka, the Mbuti, and the Batwa.
How did the Aka pygmies preserve their culture?
Relying entirely on oral transmission, the Aka Pygmies have succeeded in preserving their musical knowledge within the community by including children in rituals from an early age. The lifestyle of the Aka Pygmies has been drastically disrupted due to the changes currently taking place in the Central African Republic.
