Activity+1.4+Understanding+the+African+Musical+Experience

**Activity 1.4:** **Understanding the African Musical Experience**

At different points in history, the rest of the world has been profoundly influenced by the musical traditions of Western Africa. One such point was triggered by the world tours of //Les Ballets Africains//, Guinea’s National Ballet during the 1950’s and 1960’s. As a result of these tours, a worldwide interest in African drumming and dance led to the creation of a new community tradition known as the //Drum Circle////.// The djembe, along with other types of drums and percussion instruments, became part of “drum circles” around the world. media type="youtube" key="83cBH_SEsvA&hl=en&fs=1" height="344" width="425" **Discussion Questions** > The “Dunumba” is the next part of the featured performance. The next part of the performance is a dance popular in Upper Guinea called Dunumba. Dunumba, or “The Dance of the Strong Men” takes place in the dancing area of the village known as the Bara. Circles of men and boys form around a Kaopok or Mangrove tree that is planted in the center of the space. Dunumba is also the name given to the largest of the three drums that accompany this dance. **Assessment:** Replay the video and have the students complete a listening/viewing response on one section of the video of Les Ballets Africains. You may choose to find another video by Les Ballets Africains for students to respond to. This would provide evidence of their ability to transfer learning to a new context.
 * **Watch** a short clip of Les Ballets Africains performing with their master drummer Famoudou Konaté in 1968. [|Famoudou Konaté] is a [|Malinké] [|master drummer] from Guinea. By way of enrichment you may want to read his biography.
 * 1) //What do you notice about the// //first part of the// //performance?// (1 sec-45 sec.)
 * 2) //How does the performance change?// (46 sec. to 123 sec)
 * 3) //How does the performance end?//