Somali Music: Somali Discographies, Somali Musical Instruments, Somali Musicians, K'Naan, Mocky, K'Naan Discography, Music of Somalia, Aar Maanta, Soo

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General Books, 2013 - Music - 20 pages
Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 18. Chapters: Somali discographies, Somali musical instruments, Somali musicians, K'naan, Mocky, K'naan discography, Music of Somalia, Aar Maanta, Soomaaliyeey toosoo, Maryam Mursal, Hasan Adan Samatar, Waaberi, Abdullahi Qarshe, Ali Feiruz, Khadija Qalanjo, Tanbūra, Abdi Bashiir Indhobuur, Ahmed Cali Cigal. Excerpt: The music of Somalia generally refers to the music of the Somali people, as Somalia has the distinction of being one of the few countries in Africa that is almost entirely composed of one ethnic group. Somalia has a rich musical heritage centered on traditional Somali folklore. Most Somali songs are pentatonic; that is, they only use five pitches per octave in contrast to a heptatonic (seven note) scale such as the major scale. At first listen, Somali music might be mistaken for the sounds of nearby regions such as Ethiopia, Sudan or Arabia, but it is ultimately recognizable by its own unique tunes and styles. Somali songs are usually the product of collaboration between lyricists (midho), songwriters (lahan), and singers ('odka or "voice"). Native instruments include the batar drum and the kaban or oud. Bands such as Waaberi and Horseed have gained a small following outside of the country. Others, such as Ahmed Cali Cigal and Maryam Mursal, have fused traditional Somali music with rock and roll, bossa nova, jazz, and other modern influences. The first major form of modern Somali music began in the mid-1930s, when northern Somalia was a part of the British Somaliland Protectorate. This style of music was known as Xer-Dhaanto, an innovative, urban form of Somali folk dance and song. This period also saw the rise of the Xaaji Baal Baal Dance Troupe, which became very influential over the course of its long career. Somali popular music began with the balwo style, which was created by Abdi Sinimo. This style began in...

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