International Library of African Music

"Soundscapes" follows the research journey of all those involved, as stories were recorded. It is unedited and real: an audioverité of experiences and collaborative meaning-making. Through unfiltered and authentic sounds captured in the field, is a kind of auditory tapestry of unscripted experiences and creative manifestations, moving with a fluid and almost tidal intelligence... "The ocean, we ha...

This episode profiles the Senegambian Akonting as one of the earliest stringed African instruments, and a musical vessel for Gambia's incredible history. This instrument is the modern day ancestor to many stringed instruments including the Banjo! African Music Activists

The Adungu is one of the most striking string instruments found in Africa. In this episode we discuss the beautiful form and make up of this Ugandan instrument while listening to examples of the sound that it makes. African Music Activists

Welcome to episode 2 of Songs of the Ocean. In this podcast we look at the Songs of the Ocean through the eyes of the Xhosa people of Eastern Cape in South Africa. Our journey continues in Hamburg, a small town in the Eastern province of South Africa. It is located on the coast between the city of East London and the town of Port Alfred. Here we will continue exploring the physical and spiritual v...

Namnkelekile kwisiqendu sesibini seeNgoma Zaselwandle. Olu lusasazo shicilelo olukhenketha unxweme lwaseMzantsi Afrika olujoliselwe ekuphangalaliseni ulwazi ngolwandle nabo baphila ngalo. Kulenqubo siqokelela ulwazi lwemveli nenkcubeko oluvakaliswa ngamabali neengoma eziqokelelwe kwizithili ezigudle unxweme lweWild Coast eMpuma-Koloni. Kwesi isiqendu uhambo lwethu lusibeka eHamburg, idolotshana en...

Yimigcobo nemincili ukunamkela kwinqubo yokuqala ngqi yeNgoma Zaselwandle. Olusasazo-shicilelo luza luziziqendu eziliqela luvuka kumavukazi aseTsitsa lukhwela ikhwelo lukhweza ngokhwezi libubutha’unxweme lomntla-mpuma weMpuma-Koloni ukuyonqandwa ziintaba zeeNgquza. Ngoko ke hamba nam uKuhle Ngqezana sifunxe kwimithombo yolwazi ngobudlelwano boluntu lwasenxwemeni nolwandle abaphila ngalo. Kweziziqe...

Welcome to the season premiere of Songs of The Ocean. This is a podcast series that travels around the coast of South Africa, in a journey dedicated to learning about the deep relationship between the Ocean and those who live off it. In this series we have a collection of indigenous heritage and knowledge through the eyes of the Xhosa people in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This knowledge is e...

In this podcast, we discuss what attributes a graduate from a South African university should have. We wonder about what we want our students to look like when they obtain their degrees, how we envisage them to be able to think what they should know, how they should engage with society, and how they should think of themselves as citizens, not only in South Africa, but as citizens of the world.

Madosini. Ma Dosini. The mother of the Dosini clan is also the mother of an art form. The most talented and most important traditional bow player in the world. A vital force in African music. Meet her - hear her - here. www.ru.ac.za

While all our activists are teachers to some extent, Dr Patricia Opondo has dedicated her life to creating the next generation of performers ... and teachers. Hear her story ... and the results of her work.

Performer, researcher, teacher, archivist, campaigner, inspiration. Few people have done more to document, promote and champion traditional African music and musicians than Professor Andrew Tracey. This is his remarkable story.

Timbila is recognised by Unesco as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It is Mozambique's national instrument but, without the passion and dedication of one family, it would almost certainly have disappeared. Meet Vanancia Mbande Junior, a brilliant musician who is also doing all he can to keep this extraordinary music alive for future generations.

From learning the uhadi bow at his mother's knee to becoming an international superstar to being the first black professor of music at the University of Cape Town, Dizu Plaatjies has never stopped believing one thing - without its music, Africa would be lost.

Before we introduce you to some of Southern Africa's most talented and influential musicians, here's a bit more information on what this series is all about. International Library of African Music

The mbila was developed by the Chopi tribe from Mozambique and groups of timbila (the plural) are often played in 'orchestras', using complex cross rhythms. Its unique sound has made it world famous – it’s even won a UNESCO award. Find out more in this edition of Afroloops. African Music Activists

In Africa, whether it's war or peace, joy or sadness, birth or death - it will often be drums you hear spreading the message. Celebrated for its versatility, the djembe drum is one of Africa’s most popular musical instruments. Join us as we find out more about making the drums 'talk'. African Music Activists

The mbira - or thumb piano - is traditional to the Shona people of Zimbabwe. Mbiras are often used for rites and ceremonies but this one - the nyunga nyunga ("sparkle sparkle") mbira is just for entertainment. Find out how it lives up to its name. African Music Activists

The Uhadi Bow is a traditional Xhosa instrument. It creates one of the most distinctive sounds of all African instruments and is traditionally played by women. Hear how it's made and played in this edition of Afroloops. African Music Activists

How many instruments can you think of that can be played by up to eight people at once? The amadinda is originally from Uganda, created by the Baganda people and played for more than 40 generations at the court of their king. Now it’s finding its way around the world. Find out why. African Music Activists

The marimba is one of the most African of instruments ... or is it? Xylophone-like instruments are found all over the world but the marimba sound we know is so very South African. In this episode discover the real origins of the South African marimba and find out how the sound evolved. African Music Activists

In 1920, a young Hugh Tracey was shipped off to Southern Rhodesia to work on his older brother’s tobacco farm. He immediately became fascinated by the songs he heard the African workers singing. It was the beginning of his life’s work – travelling Africa recording the music of the continent. In this first edition of Afroloops, travel back in time and discover more about one of the earliest recordi...