The History
Black Folk Music originated in the 18th and 19th centuries through work songs, field calls, and protest songs sung in plantation fields as sacred and secular. Before it became a genre, folk or negro spirituals were introduced through storytelling and hymns. These spirituals were created and performed in a repetitive and improvised style, which became call-and-response deliveries. Furthermore, these spirituals were drawn from biblical themes and sources (History of folk spiritual. (n.d.). Timeline of African American Music. https://timeline.carnegiehall.org/genres/folk-spiritual). Folk music has an influential role in the shaping of Black music genres. Through traditional African rhythms and instruments, folk music has paved the way for Black culture. Through storytelling, folk music has been passed down generationally and will continue influencing music.
The Djembe
The Djembe is associated with early Black folk music. The djembe drum was invented in the 12th century by the Madinke tribe in what is now known as Mali. With West African roots, today the djembe is used in international folk music, Latin percussion, and jazz. The djembe uses three basic sounds: bass, tone, and slap. The djembe has become the foundation for West African drumming and has influenced countless genres, including folk music. (ipassio. (n.d.). Djembe: Definition, History, Types, Players – ipassio Wiki. Ipassio. https://www.ipassio.com/wiki/musical-instruments/percussion/djembe#).
