List Of Musical Instruments Of Cameroon

This article is a list of traditional musical instruments in Cameroon, based primarily on the research of Roger Blench (2009).

Idiophones

Idiophones of Cameroon include percussion instruments, untuned idiophones, tuned idiophones (xylophones), concussion instruments, and other instruments.

Percussion

*Slit gongs: historically used for long-distance communication, and often mimic tones in languages. Common throughout much of Africa, the tropical Americas, and Oceania. Called ''egyʉ̂k'' in Ejagham, and also played by the Oroko people and by Tunen speakers.

Untuned idiophones

*Struck plaques
**Lithophones: played by the Mofu of northern Cameroon, and also in Central Nigeria and throughout the world. Women of the Noni and other nearby ethnic groups in Bui Division play flat lithophones. The Noni lithophone consists of a ''ncéw'' (large flat stone) struck by a pair of ''ncùy'' (smaller stones).
**Struck iron plaque: a pair of sticks is used to strike a triangular plaque made of iron. Played in southeastern Cameroon by the Kwasio and Basaa peoples.
*Struck bars: played in southwestern Cameroon by the Basaa, Kwasio, and other ethnic groups, and also by the Mbum of northern Cameroon. A long piece of bamboo or log (''pilon'' in Mbum) is struck by multiple people using a pairs of sticks. Called ''disam'' in Mbum.
*Struck vessels
**Struck gourds: calabash gourds struck using a pair of sticks. Played among women of northern Cameroon. Called ''kálá'' in Lagwan.
**Struck tortoise shell: shells of ''Kinixys belliana'' and other tortoise species, used by the priests of the Oroko and other peoples for religious incantations.
*Clapperless bells: made of iron or bronze. Historically used for chiefs, especially in the Grassfields region. For example, Tikar chiefs historically had double bronze clapperless bells. Called ''fìŋkuy'' in Noni, ''nzème mmó'' or ''kẅìʼ fùɔ'' in Ngiemboon, and ''nkwom'' in Bamun. See '' double cloche'' in French.
*Clapper bells: examples include church bells, which have long structures inside that are used to strike the bell outside. Used by Yamba and other peoples of the Grassfields region, where they were often made of bronze and used for chiefs' ceremonies. These bells are often arranged in fruit-like clusters, which are attached to a long bar.
*Pellet bells: metal vessels with pellets inside. Played by the Mankon and other peoples.
**Iron pellet bells: typically crescent-shaped. Called ''kéjyága'' in Ngiemboon. Ngiemboon speakers also have a rattling iron stick/spear, which has crescent-shaped, pellet-containing bells welded to it.
**Spherical/oval pellet bells: round or elliptical shape.
*Rattles
**Vessel rattles: similar to the maracas of South America. Materials can include coconut shells and wood.
**Basketry rattle: can be cylindrically shaped, and are usually filled with grains. Called ''kwedekwede'' in Zulgo and ''mbàcà'' in Noni, and also played by the Fali, Dii, Voko, Mafa, and Parkwa peoples.
**Gourd vessel rattle: can be conically shaped, and are made from calabash gourds. Called ''dukuced'' in Zulgo, ''kásákásá'' in Lagwan, and ''mbara'' in Mbum.
**Gourd net rattles: encased by nets with seeds strung into them. Called ''ficáw'' in Noni.
**Box rattle: rectangular box made of slats from the raffia palm, filled with seeds. Found in the Nkambé region, where it is called ''cɛ́ɛ̀sáŋ'' in Noni and ''cɛ̀ɛ̀nsáŋ'' in Limbum.
**Palm-leaf box suspended rattles: sets of small rectangular boxes made from dried ''Borassus aethiopum'' leaves that are strung onto cords. They are wrapped around the ankles, legs, or wrists, and used in dances in northern Cameroon. Called ''ghízgá'' in Lagwan, and ''txwtsa'' in Laamang.

Tuned idiophones (

xylophones)

Xylophones can have calabash or horn resonators. Calabash resonators are found through southern and central Cameroon, while horn resonators are found in parts of northeastern Nigeria, extending slightly into northern Cameroon. The Mofu people historically played a xylophone with a single horn resonator, along with calabash resonators. Northeast Nigerian cow horn resonators often have holes covered with spider webs to create a buzzing sound.

*Central Africa-type xylophones: consist of a set of wooden planks laid on banana logs. These are becoming increasingly rare since they are less portable.
*Frame xylophones: contain wooden frames and calabash gourd resonators. The Beti people play large ensembles of frame xylophones, which they call ''mendzaŋ''. Also called ''nzaŋa'' in Mbum and ''ǹjáŋ'' in Bum.

Concussion

*Concussion sticks: pairs of sticks strung together, and are played by the Oroko, Ejagham, and other peoples. Called ''ǹjâk'' in Ejagham.
*Concussion bells: hollow bells, often of different shapes and sizes, strung together on a frame or iron ring (the latter being common in the Mandara Mountains).
*Concussion rings: iron rings strung together on an iron frame. Found in the Mandara Mountains.
*Concussion rattles
**Small dried fruit shells strung together on a cord and attached to the ankles or waist. Played by the Oroko and other peoples.
**Large dried fruit shells filled with pellets, found in Foumban and other localities.
**Pod-shaped iron ankle rattles strung together on an iron ring, played by the Yamba and other peoples.
*Concussion spheres: two spherical dried fruit shells strung together by a cord, typically played by women as rhythmic accompaniments to songs. Called ''tɛ́rɛ́katɛ́tlí'' in Bana, and played by the Laamang, Guduf, Mafa, and many other peoples of Cameroon.

Others

*Scraped idiophones: a stick, wood block, or hollowed raffia midrib with notches is scraped to produce sounds. The Cuban ''güiro'' is derived from such instruments. Called ''kenkpwaà'' in Noni, ''kwàkwàr'' in Limbum, and ''kwàkwàr'' in Bamun.
*Friction idiophones: The Noni ''kèbweè ke coŋ ɛ́'', an open cylindrical drum with a stick attached to the inside of the drum, is played as part of the ''coŋ'' secret society dance. The stick is rubbed against the skin to produce a squeaking sound. Called ''ŋgwon'' in a Bamun secret society. Very rare in Africa, although also reported from the DR Congo.

Membranophones

Membranophones (drums):

*Pegged/nailed drums: Called ''dali'' in Mbum, and ''kèntóm'', ''ǹcùm'', ''ǹtàm'' in Noni. Also played by the Ngomba (who play them in pairs) and Mbum.
*Laced drums
**Laced single-headed drums: played by the Fulani and Grassfields peoples. Called ''muɔ sèm'' in Ngiemboon.
**Laced double-headed drums
***Hourglass drums: played by Muslim peoples in northern Cameroon. Often based on the Hausa ''kalungu''. Originated in the north of Cameroon, but also spread to the south. Called ''ndinda'' in Bamun. Also played by the Muyang.
***Barrel drums: the two heads of the drums are beaten using hands or sticks. Some barrel drums have heads of unequal sizes, while others have equally sized heads. Among the Central Chadic languages, it is called ''timi'' or ''gwenderi'' in Muyang, ''tèm'' in Vame, ''àtìm'' in Ouldeme, ''ʹgaŋgaŋ'' in Mofu, and ''gáŋəka'' or ''tímé'' in Podoko.
***Conical drums: played in parts of northern Cameroon, where it is called ''madan'' in Mbum.
*Wedge-laced drums: played only in southern Cameroon, including by the Oroko.
*Screw-tensioned drums: typically conga drums, which originated from the Caribbean and not directly from Africa.

Chordophones

Chordophones (stringed instruments):

*Musical bow: originally hunting bows with vegetable fiber strings that are resonated in the mouth, and used for personal enjoyment.
*Spike lute: called ''gúlúm'' in Lagwan, and also found throughout West Africa.
*Pluriarc: a unique variant of the arched harp in which each string has its own neck. Found in the Grassfields region. Called ''komè'' in Noni and ''paata'' in Bamun. Called '' hilun hi kôba'' in Bassa.Batchou, Frank William. 2011.
Le Hilun bassa’a, l’ancêtre de la guitare moderne protégé à l’Oapi
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*Mvet: a unique bar-zither found only in central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, and a small part of the DR Congo).
*Arched harp: very widespread in Africa, and likely originated in North Africa several millennia ago. Typically with pentatonic tuning and 5-6 strings in Cameroon, and is especially prevalent in northern Cameroon. Among the Central Chadic languages, it is called ''tindu'' in Muyang, ''kùléndéŋ'' in Vame, ''kurndù'' in Ouldeme, ''gànjával'' in Mofu, ''kélndèw'' in Mada, and ''gàzlàmà'' in Lagwan. See '' kundi'' and ''ngombi'' in French.
* Earth bows and monochord harps: played by the Ngiemboon and Tsangi.
*Spike fiddle: Called ''kúkú'' in Lagwan.

Aerophones

Aerophones (wind instruments) of Cameroon include flutes, trumpets/horns, reed, and other instruments:

Flutes

*End-blown flutes
**End-blown flutes without mouthpiece
***Cylindrical end-blown flutes without mouthpiece: similar to the Arab ''ney''. Called ''shilashila'' in Kanuri and ''mbáyá'' in Lagwan. In northern Cameroon, it is often made from bark, such as among the Mofu people of the Maroua region.
***Panpipes: typically played by women in the Mandara Mountains. A 3-pipe version is called ''zə̀léŋ'' in Mofu.
***Conical end-blown flute ensembles: animal horns blown across the top, sometimes with 1-2 fingerholes, and played in ensembles of 5-8 instruments. Found in the Mandara Mountains, the Mbam-speaking areas, and among the Ouldeme people.
***Cruciform wooden whistle: blown across the top like a panpipe, with two fingerholes on the side. Often played as part of dances and for communication by hunters, and are also part of Brazilian samba music. Called ''ǹdoŋ'' in Noni.
***Vessel flute: made using round calabash gourds and tubular resonators, and played by the Noni.
**Bevel flutes
***Bevel flutes without fingerholes: played in the Mandara Mountains.
***Single-note bevel flute ensemble: played in the Grassfields region, including by the Mankon and Bandjoun peoples.
***Multiple-note bevel flute ensemble: played in the Mandara Mountains by boys after circumcision ceremonies.
**Notch flute: the blowing end of the flute has an indented "V" shape. Played by emsembles in the Grassfields region.
*Transverse flute: called ''odin'' in Eton. Also played by the Yaounde and other peoples further to the southeast, especially in the DR Congo. Generally rare in Cameroon.
*Duct flute: flutes that make sounds via side openings, like whistles (which can be cylindrical or snail-shaped in Cameroon). Typically used to call for change in movement during dances.

Trumpets and horns

*Trumpets
**Long metal trumpet: made of bronze, brass, or other metals. Played in pairs or sometimes in groups of up to 6, in northern Cameroonian Islamic courts together with '' algaita'' shawms. Also played with end-blown wooden horns in Foumban. Called ''kakaki'' in Bamum.
**Cylindrical trumpet: called ''kènffuy'' in Noni, ''kìnsɨɨ'' in Limbum, and ''cǔ'' in Ngiemboon. Also played by the Bana of the Mandara Mountains.
*Horns
**Transverse-blown horn: Made using cow horns, antelope horns (historical but now uncommon), ivory (in Grassfields courts), or wood. Usually played by men, such as in courts in the Grassfields, although Oroko women play it. Called ''kèmbaa'' in Noni and ''káál shí'' in Lagwan.
**End-blown horn: found in the Grassfields region, but rare in the rest of Cameroon and Africa. In Foumban, the ''tatat'' and ''tiratira'' types are played. Made from carved wood by the Nso.

Reeds

*Double reeds (shawms): a likely medieval introduction from the Maghreb. Derived from the ''ghaita'' of the Maghreb, they are called '' algaita'' or ''alacita'' and are played in Islamic court ensembles in northern Cameroon, together with long trumpets.
*Single reeds (clarinets): found throughout the Sahel. Calabash gourd resonators are sometimes attached at one end. Often made by children after sorghum harvests. Called ''líkò'' in Lagwan.
*Whirling aerophones (bullroarer): flat, diamond-shaped piece of wood with a string attached to it. When spun around, it produces a roaring sound, as if that of a spirit. Often used in secret societies.

Others

*Percussion aerophones
** Stamping tubes: long hollow tube used for stamping, like a pestle. One end is closed to allow for stamping. Sounds vary depending on how long or wide the tube is.
**Percussion vessels
***Struck spherical vessels: made from dried calabash gourds in Cameroon and from pottery in Nigeria. The pitch can vary depending on the amount of air expelled by striking the vessel. One hand strikes a hole on the top, and another hand strikes a hole on the side. Played by the Ngiemboon and other ethnic groups, often in pairs.
***Snail shells: dried snail shells with perforated holes that are struck against the body to create various sounds, as the holes are opened and closed. Women use them as rhythmic accompaniments to songs.
*Voice disguisers: used to speak the voices of spirits and ancestors in masquerades, initiation ceremonies, and secret societies. Typically mirlitons, like kazoos, although spherical clay pots and wooden megaphones are also used.

Lamellophones

*Sansa (thumb piano): played in the Grassfields region. Called ''ntákùp'' in Limbum, ''mambila'' in Bamun, and ''ǹtáká'' in Noni. Widespread throughout Africa.
*Timbrh: played by the Mambila People

Musical ensembles

*Polyphonic wind ensembles: common throughout sub-Saharan Africa, ranging to West Africa to East Africa, and all the way down to South Africa. Typically wind and percussion instruments (usually flutes, drums, and iron bells in Cameroon), which are played by men in egalitarian societies. Women do not play instruments and only sing if participating.

See also

*Music of Cameroon
*List of musical instruments by Hornbostel–Sachs number

References

*Blench, Roger
Africa ethnomusicology images

Instrument classification
at the Royal Museum for Central Africa.

External links

The African Music Encyclopedia
by Janet Planet.

{{Music of Africa

Cameroon
Cameroonian music
Musical instruments