Gumboot: The Dance of South African MinersBy Anu OnasanyaMon Jun 12 2023Photo courtesy of African Music LibraryThe Gumboot, the Miners' Dance of South Africa renowned as one of the most expressive dance genres.Share to:
Beyond Sacred Boundaries: How Juju and Fuji Transcended Their Religious OriginsBy | 8/20/2025 | GenresFuji asked you to lose yourself in rhythm, while Juju asked you to compose yourself in melody; this way, the sound itself reinforced social divides.
Music, Gender, and Tradition in African Initiation RitesBy | 12/18/2024 | GeneralThe gendering of musical instruments and performance practices in Africa raises important questions about cultural preservation, gender equality, and the evolving role of music in contemporary society.
Preserving Indigenous African Music in Conflict ZonesBy | 5/19/2025 | GeneralConflict disrupts more than lives; it silences indigenous music traditions. These conflicts have ravaged cultural heritage across various African communities, making it crucial to preserve these sounds for future generations
Genre Spotlight: Highlife in LiberiaBy | 8/21/2025 | GenresThe Kru people, with their palm-wine music traditions and seafaring culture, played a critical role in spreading early Highlife styles across West African coasts, positioning Liberia as one of the lesser-discussed but significant contributors to the genre's development.
Benga Music: Kenya’s Greatest Musical ExportBy | 11/16/2023 | GenresThough the origin of the sound is known, the name BENGA remains a matter of speculation. Some say, it was derived from Obengo, the name of the mother of the legendary Benga musician D.O. Misiani. Another believes that the word was first used in the song, Monica Ondego, by the Ogara Boys from the 1963 Ketebul Label.