Senegal's Music
The music of Senegal is better known than a lot of other African countries. This is because of a style of Serer percussive music called mbalax (The Serer are a people group). Mbalax is the popular dance music of Senegal and the Gambia. It's a fusion of saber, the traditional drumming and dance music of Senegal, and popular Western music, like Latin, jazz, soul, and rock. The name of the genre comes from the use of certain rhythms in saber which are called mbalax.
History
The popular Senegalese music of now can be traced back to the 1960's , when a lot of venues hosted bands that played Western music. Over time, these bands started to incorporate more traditional styles, including the addition of the tam a drum into the music, and adding Wolof or Mandinka lyrics.
Styles
Mbalax
See top of page.
See top of page.
The Yela
This rhythm of Senegalese music mimics the sound of women pounding grain. There are stresses on different beats in the music, depending on when the women would emphasize it while playing the yela. It was used by the kings to gather the people together for important events. Yela was the style Jimmy Cliff heard while visiting Dakar, and so was the main influence in the development of reggae in the Caribbean.
http://www.discoversenegal.com/Music.html
This rhythm of Senegalese music mimics the sound of women pounding grain. There are stresses on different beats in the music, depending on when the women would emphasize it while playing the yela. It was used by the kings to gather the people together for important events. Yela was the style Jimmy Cliff heard while visiting Dakar, and so was the main influence in the development of reggae in the Caribbean.
http://www.discoversenegal.com/Music.html