World: Africa
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1671 West Barbary
[a historical term for the coastal regions of North Africa, specifically Morocco and parts of Algeria]“…They use Vocal and Instrumental Musick, but in both are very serious and plain, devoid of Levity
or Flourish….The Tituanezes have a less Organ, and also use a sort of Tabor and Pipe when they
march in the Field. So most Towns have their peculiar sorts of Musick….”‘West Barbary, or, A short narrative of the revolutions of the kingdoms of Fez and Morocco with an account
of the present customs, sacred, civil, and domestick’ by Lancelot Addison
[ Algiers is the capital city of Algeria in North Africa. a French colony]Pictorial Times - Saturday 17 January 1846
20th century Ethiopia - is this a fipple pipe or a trumpet of some sort?
west Africa three hole flute:
audio of traditional Fulani musicThe tambin, traditional Fulani flute of the Fouta Djallon highlands of Guinea, is a three-hole wood flute.
[I was playing the pipe and tabor in Parliament Square, London, and someone came up to me to talk. That is how I found out about the tambin,
a sideways playing flute with only three holes.]
The tambin is revered for the profound effect it has on listeners, often bringing them to tears with its haunting
sounds and melodies that reach deep inside one's soul. It is played all over West Africa by the Peul people.
Because it is so long both hands are needed to play all the notes. These days it is used in public orchestras
with a mixture of instruments and singing, as well as being played solo.The tambin is a tube with usually three holes. Traditionally it is wrapped around with leather and wax
and decorated with sea shells. Two or more notes are sounded simultaneously and integrated with mouth sounds.
1948 Fulani orchestra
more information on African three-hole flutes
flutes for sale - see lower part of page
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