User Manual
29A User’s Guide to Garritan World Instruments
North African countries, including Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan, Morocco, and Western Sa-
hara, are strongly inuenced by Middle Eastern culture, and their music and instrumentation reect
that. For example, the Arghul and Mijwiz are North African reed instruments that have similarities
to their Middle Eastern counterparts.
West Africa, or sub-Saharan Africa, is equally rich in its musical heritage. Mali, Senegal, Nigeria,
Ghana, and Guinea provide some of the most sophisticated and complex musical traditions in all of
Africa. e Ewe peoples of West Africa (Ghana, Togo, and Benin) are renowned for their experience
and excellence in drumming and have developed a deep tradition based on the Ewe drums. e deli-
cate 21-string Kora harp is also popular in West African communities, and the other-worldly sounds
of Udu drums can be heard among certain tribes in the region, particularly in Nigeria.
Central and Middle Africa, dominated by the Congo River, display a mixture of European and Cu-
ban inuences. Congolese rumba is quite popular, not only in Africa, but also throughout the world.
In addition to numerous drums, the gentler, more delicate side of the Congo is reected in the small
Donnu harp.
East African countries are strongly inuenced by Islamic traditions, yet also evolved their own unique-
ly avored styles. Ethiopia and the surrounding regions have musical traditions dating back well over
a millennium—and Kenya enjoys its own special Benga music. e begana, which resembles a large
lyre, is one of numerous instruments commonly heard in East Africa.
South Africa, long the economic center of the continent, has largely led the recording, broadcasting,
and media industries in Africa. e region has evolved a musical sound and style of its own by fusing
homegrown jazz, jive, gumboot music, the Soweto beat, Zulu choir, and many other stylistic and
formal elements.