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Afircan diaspora
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The dispersion of millions of people from Africa-especially western Africa-to other parts of the world, especially the Americas (the United States, Brazil, the Caribbean, etc.); largely a result of the Euro-American slave trade, at least initally. Today, the African diaspora is global in scope and its worldwide musical impact cannot be overestimated.
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Africanisms
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Readily identifiable musicultural characteristics that are widely shared across sub-Saharan Africa and are prominent in musics of the African diaspora as well.
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Akan
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A large ethnic group of West Africa concentrated principally in the modern nation of Ghana.
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Angelique Kidjo
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Fon, sings in Fon language, in style of crossover approach. draws upon Fon language, vocal stylings, as well as american soul, rhythm and blues, funk and jazz. huge success globally. the diva from Benin.
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Atumpan
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A set of two large drums used by the Akan for drum speech and also in other contexts (such as in the Fontomfrom royal music ensemble).
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Bala
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Xylophone-like idiophone of the Mande people of West Africa; one of the several instruments historically identified with the musical traditions of jeliya.
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Birimintingo
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The soloistic style of instrumental performance used on instruments like the kora, bala, and koni in Mande jeliya music.
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Diabate family
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One of the most revered jeli families
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Djembe
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African hand drum
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Drum speech
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Linguistic use of certain types of West African drums (e.g., atumpan) in certain contexts (e.g., reciting proverbs), which is made possible by the use of tonal languages.
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Equankoba
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Thin, tall drums, highest drums in the fontomfrom
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Fon
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One of the major ethnic groups in the West African nation of Benin; Angelique Kidjo is of Fon heritage and many of her songs are in the Fon language (e.g., "Okan Bale").
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Fontomfrom
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Akan royal drum ensemble, featuring several drums (from, atumpan, eguankoba) and the gongon iron bell.
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From
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Lowest drum, tall, played by leader or ensemble
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Gongon
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Traditional two pronged bell held in one hand and played by striking with a straight stick
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