The gangan, or talking drum, is incredibly sophisticated in its ability to "speak." A master drummer, known as an Ayan, can play and manipulate the drum to convey words and phrases that Yoruba speakers can understand. Similarly, the kakaki player uses his trumpet to greet the Emir, carefully matching the traditional melodic contours of greetings in Hausa. He might say phrases like "Ranka ya dade" (Long life to you) or "Lafiya lau" (How are you?). What is most impressive about this practice is how it transforms these instruments into tools for actual communication, rather than just musical expression. This process is referred to as speech surrogacy.

According to Speech Surrogates, the term "speech surrogate" (or surrogate speech/language) refers to a system in which the content of a (usually) spoken language is transferred onto some non-linguistic form. In another definition, Lucas James, a Linguistics undergrad, in his paper defines speech surrogacy as the practice of systematically replacing spoken utterances or language with other sounds. Both definitions effectively capture the essence of what a speech surrogate is.

Speech surrogates come in various forms and mediums. They are particularly common in tonal languages, where changes in pitch can change the meaning of words. These surrogates can be categorized into musical and non-musical types.

Non-musical speech surrogates include whistled languages found in different cultures, such as the Kickapoo whistled speech of Mexico, Silbo Gomero from La Gomera, the bird language used by Turkish farmers, the Yupik language of Alaska and the Russian Far East, and many others.

There are also other non-musical speech surrogates like Morse Code, which is a universal communication system, and bugle Calls used by the military to convey specific commands or signals, without necessarily mimicking spoken language.

The musical surrogate speeches serve as both a means of communication and entertainment. In this context, musical instruments are played to imitate spoken words. Commonly used instruments in these speech surrogates include aerophones (wind instruments), xylophones, and drums. A variety of African drums are utilized, such as the dùndún and bàtá drums from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, the Dagomba drum from the Dagomba people of Ghana, the ùfìè (log drum) from the Igbo people of Nigeria, and the Ewe drums (Kagan, kidi, and sogo) from the Ewe people of Ghana, Togo, and Benin, among others.

Among the African wind instruments used in speech surrogacy are the Oja flute of the Igbo people of Nigeria, the Kakaki of the Hausa people, and the Mmensoun of the Pante people in Ghana, among others. Additionally, the Northern Toussian balafon of the Toussian people and the Sambla balafon of the Sambla people in Burkina Faso also play a role in this practice.

Speech surrogacy involves three key aspects: mimicking speech, using instruments as voices, and the cultural significance of these practices. In mimicking speech, skilled musicians reproduce tones, rhythms, and inflections of spoken language through their instruments. When using musical instruments as voices, the instruments effectively substitute for the human voice, conveying linguistic information.

Culturally, speech surrogacy is deeply embedded in various communities, especially in West Africa. It serves multiple purposes, such as facilitating long-distance communication, fostering social cohesion, participating in ritualistic practices, and aiding in language preservation.

Speech surrogacy remains a fascinating and unique form of communication that showcases the ingenuity of human expression. It serves as a bridge between music and language, revealing the cultural traditions of various communities across Africa and beyond. In an increasingly globalized world, it acts as a powerful tool for preserving traditional languages and cultural practices, offering a window into diverse cultures.

Next time you hear a talking drum or an African instrument, pay closer attention to see if the player is communicating something to you.

Speech Surrogacy as the practice of systematically replacing spoken utterances or language with other sounds

Speech Surrogates: Decoding the Secret Language of African Musical Instruments

Speech Surrogacy as the practice of systematically replacing spoken utterances or language with other sounds

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