Music is a part of daily life in Africa, and nearly every child can play or sing. Songs are sung during work or in the evenings for entertainment when everyone gathers to share stories. Children are lulled to sleep with lullabies when they can’t fall asleep. All major events, such as births, weddings, or funerals, are accompanied by songs and rhythms. An African celebration is unthinkable without music and dance. Through songs and melodies, people maintain contact with their ancestors and spirits.
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Popular African Children’s Songs
In every region of the continent, different songs are sung, and various instruments are used. However, rhythm is essential in every style of music, so you will always hear drums. When a festival is held, everyone dresses in bright colors, puts on makeup, and dances. Even little children know all the songs and dance steps, and families enthusiastically clap along to their children’s dances. The songs have been sung in the same way for centuries, accompanied by musicians playing traditional African instruments. Griots in West Africa, particularly in Mali, play a harp-like instrument called the kora. Musicians also often play the balafon, a rhythmic instrument that sounds similar to a xylophone and is made from hollowed-out gourds. Among the Hausa, a West African ethnic group, musicians play a long-necked lute they make themselves. This lute, called the ngoni, sounds like a mix between a guitar and a harp. In Ghana, every child can play a thumb piano, a simple instrument that is easy to build and quick to learn. Click on “Instruments” at the top right to hear the instruments.
A well-known children’s song from Ghana is “The Song of the Colorful Birds,” which is called “Che Che Koolay” in the Ga language. Every child in Ghana can sing it. You can listen to it on Afrika Junior TV.
Children’s Songs from West Africa
Here you can listen to the children’s song “Tutu gbovi” from Ghana by the musician Adjiri Odametey. Adjiri Odametey comes from Ghana, a country in West Africa. It is a well-known lullaby sung in the language of the Ga people, which is his native language. The song translates to “Don’t Cry, Little Child” in English and is about a sad child missing their parents. In the chorus, the singer reassures the child that mama and papa will come back soon. Adjiri Odametey accompanies his song on a thumb piano he built himself.
Children’s Songs from East Africa
The children’s song “Baringe” is a dance song sung by a children’s choir. You can hear it in many places in East Africa, whether in a village in Tanzania, on Zanzibar, or in the big city of Dar es Salaam. A children’s choir in Zanzibar sings “Baringe,” calling each child in the choir to show how well they can dance. Each child is called by name, and then they must wiggle their shoulders and hips while crouching down until they touch the ground. Listen to the song and try dancing along, preferably with your friends. You can find more East African songs in the songbook “Ukuti Ukuti.”
Children’s Songs from Southern Africa
In Southern Africa, numerous different ethnic groups coexist. Their music blends various styles but often focuses on similar themes, telling stories of war, friendship, love, and freedom. “Ngilandela” is a song from Namibia sung by DJ Kleva Kaslam. Kaslam performs traditional songs and contemporary African music, which you can hear on the radio. His songs are popular and can be heard in cafes, taxis, or buses.
Modern African Music
In the streets of Africa, pop music, hip hop, and house music resonate from radios and speakers. Musicians often master both African and European instruments, like Adjiri Odametey, a Ghanaian artist who plays five African instruments, including bongos and other types of drums, as well as the guitar. Many musicians from different regions of the continent mix African and European instruments.
The song “Noko” comes from Adjiri Odametey’s CD “Etoo.” It is sung in Ga, a Ghanaian language. The song conveys a message about never losing hope. Even if you have lost everything, maintaining self-confidence will lead to better days. The rights to the “Etoo” CD are held by Africmelo Records and Bayla Records/Galileo Music Communications.
Some African musicians reinterpret old songs, blending them with modern pop music. You can listen to many styles, including blues, soul, jazz, and rhythm and blues. African rap music is particularly popular and is played all over Africa. X Plastaz is a Tanzanian hip-hop group based in Arusha, Tanzania, founded in 1996. They are one of the most popular acts in the Tanzanian hip-hop scene. Their style mixes elements of international hip-hop with traditional Maasai music, represented by the Maasai singer Merege. Here you can listen to their song “Nini Dhambi Kwa Mwenye Dhiki,” which addresses poverty in Tanzania.
More about African Music
You can find video clips of African pop music on Afrika Junior TV. There’s also a quiz game about African instruments at Afrika Junior Quiz. Would you like to make your own African instrument? In the craft workshop, you’ll find instructions for building a drum, a rattle, or a thumb piano at Afrika Junior Craft Workshop. Here you can find the lyrics to the Ghanaian children’s song “Tutu gbovi.”