West African Musical Instruments | Names, Origins, & Pictures
The music of West Africa is rich with history, culture, and rhythm.
The instruments used in this region are more than just tools for making sound; they are integral to the social, spiritual, and ceremonial life of the people who play them.
While many instruments can be classified in traditional families, this guide will use a five-category system to help you understand the remarkable diversity of West African musical instruments: Membranophones, Idiophones, Chordophones, and Aerophones.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Membranophones (Drum Instruments)
- Chordophones (String Instruments)
- Idiophones (Percussion Instruments)
- Aerophones (Wind Instruments)
- The West African Ensemble
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- West African musical instruments are categorized into five groups based on how they produce sound: percussion, drums, strings, and wind.
- The Djembe, Talking drum, Kora, and Balafon are among the most iconic instruments, each with a unique history and role.
- The true essence of West African music comes from how different instrument types are layered to create a complex, conversational rhythm.
- Instruments are often crafted from natural materials like wood, gourds, and animal skin, reflecting a deep connection to the environment.
I. Membranophones (Drums):
Membranophones are instruments that produce sound from a vibrating membrane or skin stretched across a frame.
These West African musical instruments are far more than just things you hit to make noise; they provide the musical pulse for dance, ceremonies, and communication.
If you've ever felt the irresistible urge to dance when hearing a drum, you know exactly what I mean.
The power and variety of Membranophones provide a powerful foundation for all other sounds.
A. The Djembe
The djembe is a rope-tuned skin-covered goblet drum, played with bare hands.
Originally, it was the key instrument for the Mandinka people of the Mali Empire, dating back to around the 13th century, is now one of the most popular West African musical instruments worldwide.
It's a goblet-shaped drum, meticulously carved from a single piece of hardwood, with a goatskin drumhead.
It’s played with bare hands and can produce an incredible range of tones—from a deep, resonant bass note to a sharp, cracking slap. Its sound is so powerful it’s often said to have a spirit of its own.
B. The Talking Drum (gan gan)
The talking drum is one of the most brilliant West African musical instruments in existence.
Known as the gan gan by the Yoruba people of Nigeria, this hourglass-shaped drum can literally mimic the tones and rhythms of human speech.
The musician places the drum under their arm and squeezes the tension ropes that connect the two drumheads while striking the drum with a curved stick.
This action changes the pitch, allowing the player to talk and communicate with others.
Do you Want to learn more about how one of these incredible instruments is made?
Check out our article on The Talking Drum making Process to see the full process from start to finish!
II. Chordophones (String Instruments)
Stringed instruments, known as chordophones, are the keepers of history in West African music.
They don't just produce melodies; they tell epic tales, genealogies, and fables passed down through generations.
1. The Kora
The kora is one of the most celebrated and important West African musical instruments. It is a 21-stringed "harp-lute" that originates from the Mali Empire.
Its body is a large calabash gourd and the neck is made of hardwood. Its strings are traditionally made of nylon fishing line.
The kora is the signature instrument of the Griots, a class of traveling poets, musicians, and storytellers who act as the oral historians and bards of West Africa.
They use the kora's complex, ethereal sound to weave stories that educate and entertain. Think of it as a walking library, where every string holds a different tale.
2. The Ngoni
Originating in Mali, the ngoni is a lute-like instrument with a body often made from a hollowed-out piece of wood and covered with animal skin. The strings are typically nylon fishing line.
The ngoni is widely considered an ancestor of the modern banjo. Its rhythmic, plucked sound and bright tone laid the groundwork for the banjo's popularization in the Americas.
It's a testament to the powerful influence of West African musical traditions on global culture.
III. Idiophones (Resonant Body Instruments)
Idiophones are instruments that produce sound through the vibration of their own material.
They are the shakers, scrapers, and bells that create the layered textures and foundational rhythms of West African music.
1. Shekere
The shekere is a gourd surrounded by a woven net of beads, cowrie shells, or other hard materials.
When shaken or struck against the hand, the beads create a distinct, rattling sound.
It's a versatile instrument, capable of a wide range of rhythmic patterns, and is often used to add high-frequency textures to a performance.
2. Balafon
Similar in function to a xylophone, the balafon is a melodic idiophone consisting of wooden slats of different lengths.
Each slat is suspended over a series of hollow calabash gourds that act as natural resonators.
When a player strikes the slats with rubber-headed mallets, the instrument produces a warm, woody tone.
The balafon is often a lead instrument, playing complex melodies and improvisations.
3. Slit Drum
Made from a hollowed-out log with one or more slits carved into it, the slit drum produces sound by resonating when struck with a stick.
Different pitches are created by striking different parts of the drum's body, allowing for the communication of tonal language.
It's a simple yet powerful instrument used for ceremonies and communication
4. Udu
The udu is a type of vessel drum made from clay pottery. Originating from the Igbo people of Nigeria, it is one of the many important West African musical instruments.
It is played by striking the various openings and the body of the pot with the hands.
The unique, hollow design allows for a deep, resonant bass note when the large hole is struck, and a variety of high-pitched sounds when the sides are tapped.
The Udu's distinct watery and resonant tones are often used in ceremonies and meditative music.
You can learn more about some of these instruments by watching this video about the top five African Musical Instruments.
IV. Aerophones (Wind Instruments)
Aerophones are any class of musical instruments in which a vibrating mass of air produces the initial sound.
This category includes everything from flutes and trumpets to bull roarers and sirens.
In many African countries such as Uganda, Bokina Faso, DC Congo, and Chad, these instruments are deeply integrated into ceremonies and social life.
They’re often used in conjunction with dancing, requiring musicians to synchronize their footwork with their playing.
1. Flutes and Whistles
Flutes and whistles are typically crafted from indigenous bamboo, cane, or bone. The End-blown flute is common among the Gurunsi people of Burkina Faso.
In some regions, large cooperative ensembles of over 100 men play together, with each musician contributing a single note to complete the melody.
The Fulani flute, called serewa or Tambin, is a long, slender instrument made from wood or reed.
Players blow across the top to create a breathy sound often compared to a bird call, used to accompany songs in pastoral settings.
2. Horns and Trumpets
Horns and trumpets are powerful instruments used to convey messages, announce arrivals, and signify important events.
They are often made from animal horns, with the kudu horn being the most sought-after for royal occasions. Many are side-blown, producing a powerful one-note blast.
The algaita is a double-reed instrument with a piercing sound, often used outdoors for ceremonies and military events.
The kakaki is a long metal ceremonial trumpet that produces a deep, booming sound to announce the arrival of royalty.
How To Combine these West African Musical Instruments
In West Africa, music is a conversation. The different instruments don't just play at the same time; they respond to each other, creating a rich and layered soundscape. It all comes down to a few key roles.
I. Rhythm First:
The drums, like the djembe, sets the foundation. They create a steady pulse that every other instrument locks into.
II. The Lead Voices:
The talking drum and the kora are the soloists. The talking drum can mimic the tone of a singer, while the kora weaves a beautiful melody over the beat.
III. Adding Texture:
Other instruments, like the balafon, add melodic texture and percussive color. They fill in the spaces, creating a full and vibrant sound.
These are the core roles that allow a group of musical instruments to work as a single, powerful unit, creating a sound that is both complex and incredibly unified.
Conclusion
We’ve just gone on a pretty amazing journey through the heart of West African music.
From the strong and steady sound of the Djembe and Talking Drum, to the lyrical storytelling of the Kora and Ngoni, this style of music showcases the incredible power of percussion.
It’s a living tradition that’s all about communicating through sound.
What's truly special is how the instruments work together. It's like a complete team where every part is essential.
It's a testament to the power of percussion, something MLPERCUSSIONS is always dedicated to.
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What's Next?
So, what part of this musical tradition do you want to explore more? We could write a story about a griot, or maybe even try to build a simple interactive sound demo!
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