![]() ![]() The instruments themselves are regarded as speaking and their messages consist of words. In the second type, the one used for African drum literature and the form to be considered here, the instruments communicate through direct representation of the spoken language itself, simulating the tone and rhythm of actual speech. The first is through a conventional code where pre-arranged signals represent a given message in this type there is no directly linguistic basis for the communication. Bascom 1964, 1965 a Berry 1961 Herskovits 1960), expression through drums often forms a not inconsiderable branch of the literature of a number of African societies.ģ Communication through drums can be divided into two types. Although its literary significance has been overlooked in general discussions of African oral literature, (e.g. ![]() ![]() That this is indeed a form of literature rather than music is clear when the principles of drum language are understood. IĢ A remarkable phenomenon in parts of West and Central Africa is the literature played on drums and certain other musical instruments. Examples of Drum Literature: Announcements and Calls Names Proverbs Poetry. 1 The description in this chapter is mainly based on Rattray 1923 Carrington 1944, 1949a, 1949b and (.)ġ Introductory-The Principles of Drum Language.
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