African Musical Instruments
Africa, the second largest of earth’s continents, has more than 50 countries which are home to innumerable tribes, ethnic and social groups all of which have different cultures and languages. Because of this, African history and culture were passed on through music and more specifically drums were used as a means of communication.
Traditional African musicians do not seek to combine sounds in a manner pleasing to the ear. Their aim is simply to express life in all of its aspects through the medium of sound. Musical games played by African children prepare them to participate in all areas of adult activity - including fishing, hunting, farming, grinding maize, attending weddings and funerals and dances.
Musical instruments from the African culture are listed below. Please also see the instrument categories on the left to explore additional African musical instruments.
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14 Inch Bendir with Snare
SKU: BDR4
14 Inch Bendir with Snare. Rosewood construction with tunable goatskin. Sticks are not included. Made in Pakistan.
Regular Price: $53.52
On Sale For: $50.18
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Ashiko African Drum, Bolt Tuned, Goatskin Head
SKU: AKB2-Goatskin
Ashiko African Drum, Bolt Tuned, Goatskin Head, 12 inch x 24 inch, rosewood engraved with floral design, bolt tuning. Made in Pakistan.
Regular Price: $175.92
On Sale For: $164.93
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Ashiko African Drum, Large
SKU: ASKL
Ashiko African Drum, Large, 14 inch x 27 inch, rosewood engraved with floral design, rings and cord tuning for goatskin head, and natural hair on drum head rim. Made in Pakistan.
Regular Price: $223.20
On Sale For: $209.25
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Ashiko African Drum, Medium
SKU: ASKM
Ashiko African Drum, Medium, 12 inch x 24 inch, rosewood engraved with floral design, rings and cord tuning for goatskin head, and natural hair on drum head rim. Made in Pakistan.
Regular Price: $191.92
On Sale For: $179.93
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Ashiko African Drum, Shell & Rings, Large
SKU: AKSL
Ashiko African Drum, Shell & Rings, Large, 14 inch x 27 inch rosewood shell with rings for Ashiko African drum. Head not included. Made in Pakistan.
Regular Price: $159.20
On Sale For: $149.25
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Ashiko African Drum, Small
SKU: ASKS
Ashiko African Drum, Small, 9 inch x 20 inch, rosewood engraved with floral design, rings and cord tuning for goatskin head, and natural hair on drum head rim. Made in Pakistan.
Regular Price: $135.92
On Sale For: $127.43
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Ashiko, 12"x22" Med., Mango, Dark
SKU: ASMM-D
Ashiko, 12"x22" Med., Mango, Dark 12"x22", solid mango wood, ring and cord tuning for goatskin head. Made in India.
Regular Price: $167.92
On Sale For: $157.43
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Ashiko, 9"x20" Small, Mango, Light
SKU: ASMS-L
Ashiko, 9"x20" Small, Mango, Light 9"x20", solid mango wood, ring and cord tuning for goatskin. Made in India.
Regular Price: $111.92
On Sale For: $104.93
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Ashiko, Large, Mango, 14"x24", Dark
SKU: ASML-D
Ashiko, Large, Mango, 14"x24", Dark finish, mango wood, ring and cord tuning for goatskin head. Made in India.
Regular Price: $199.20
On Sale For: $186.75
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Ashiko, Large, Mango, 14"x24", Light
SKU: ASML-L
Ashiko, Large, Mango, 14"x24", Light finish, mango wood, ring and cord tuning for goatskin head. Made in India.
Regular Price: $199.20
On Sale For: $186.75
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Bendir 12 Inch with True Feel Synthetic Head by Meinl
SKU: MEI_FD12BE-TF
Bendir 12 Inch with True Feel Synthetic Head by Meinl. The new MEINL Bendirs feature four thin strings stretched across the inside of the True Feel synthetic head, which create the classic Bendir buzzing sound. The Bendirs are fully tunable and light in weight for long and comfortable playing. Features: Buzzing Effect; Internal lug tuning system; Thumb hole for a good balance and comfortable playing. Includes: Allen Wrench. Size: 12 inches x 4 inches. Material: True Feel Synthetic Head; Rubber Wood (Hevea brasiliensis Muell.-Arg.). Color: African Brown. Finish: Matte.
Regular Price: $170.00
On Sale For: $99.99
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Bendir 14 Inch with True Feel Synthetic Head by Meinl
SKU: MEI_FD14BE-TF
Bendir 14 Inch with True Feel Synthetic Head by Meinl. The new MEINL Bendirs feature four thin strings stretched across the inside of the True Feel synthetic head, which create the classic Bendir buzzing sound. The Bendirs are fully tunable and light in weight for long and comfortable playing. Features: Buzzing Effect; Internal lug tuning system; Thumb hole for a good balance and comfortable playing. Includes: Allen Wrench. Size: 14 inches x 4 inches. Material: True Feel Synthetic Head; Rubber Wood (Hevea brasiliensis Muell.-Arg.). Color: African Brown. Finish: Matte.
Regular Price: $180.00
On Sale For: $109.99
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Bendir 16 Inch with True Feel Synthetic Head by Meinl
SKU: MEI_FD16BE-TF
Bendir 16 Inch with True Feel Synthetic Head by Meinl. The new MEINL Bendirs feature four thin strings stretched across the inside of the True Feel synthetic head, which create the classic Bendir buzzing sound. The Bendirs are fully tunable and light in weight for long and comfortable playing. Features: Buzzing Effect; Internal lug tuning system; Thumb hole for a good balance and comfortable playing. Includes: Allen Wrench. Size: 16 inches x 4 inches. Material: True Feel Synthetic Head; Rubber Wood (Hevea brasiliensis Muell.-Arg.). Color: African Brown. Finish: Matte.
Regular Price: $190.00
On Sale For: $114.99
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Cabasa, Coconut, Colorful
SKU: KABAC
Cabasa, Coconut, Colorful Beaded coconut. By twisting, the beads roll back and forth over the rough coconut and produce a great shoop shoop sound. Lower in pitch than wood and metal cabasa. Brightly colored handles add to the fun. Originally of african origin, they were constructed from dried oval- or pear-shaped gourds with beads strung on the outer surface. The player places his non-dominant hand on the beads, to provide pressure, while holding the handle with the other hand and twisting the instrument back and forth as per the rhythmic pattern desired. Made In India WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts - Not for children under 3 years.
Price: $11.90
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Cabasa, Small Wooden with Metal Beads
SKU: KABS
Cabasa, Small Wooden with Metal Beads Wood wheel & steel beads. By twisting, the beads roll back and forth over the corrugated metal and produce a great shoop shoop sound, higher in pitch than the coconut Cabasa. Originally of african origin, they were constructed from dried oval- or pear-shaped gourds with beads strung on the outer surface. The player places his non-dominant hand on the beads, to provide pressure, while holding the handle with the other hand and twisting the instrument back and forth as per the rhythmic pattern desired. Made In India WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts - Not for children under 3 years.
Price: $15.90
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Caxixi de Berimbau, 6 1/4 inch Height
SKU: CXBR
Brazilian Caxixi 6.25 inches tall by 2.5 inches in diameter at the base. Hand crafted to be the best sounding caxixi. Following the traditional construction, the base of each caxixi is cut from a dried gourd to give that surprisingly bright, sharp sound. The basketry is hand woven from thin reeds making a light weight, delicate looking instrument. Caxixi are essential if playing the berimbau, but widely applicable to any style of music. Shake the caxixi up and down against the gourd bottom for the high pitched sounds, or back and forth for a softer sound. Each size and shape has a unique sound. Made in Brazil.
Price: $14.90
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Caxixi Duas Cabaca, 4 1/4 inch Height
SKU: CXC2
Small Double chambered Brazilian Caxixi 4.25 inches tall by 3.5 inches wide, each chamber is 1.75 inches in diameter at the base. Hand crafted to be the best sounding caxixi. Following the traditional construction, the base of each caxixi is cut from a dried gourd to give that surprisingly bright, sharp sound. The basketry is hand woven from thin reeds making a light weight, delicate looking instrument. Caxixi are essential if playing the berimbau, but widely applicable to any style of music. Shake the caxixi up and down against the gourd bottom for the high pitched sounds, or back and forth for a softer sound. Each size and shape has a unique sound. Made in Brazil.
Price: $14.31
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Caxixi Grandao Duplo, 21 1/2 inch Height
SKU: CXGD
Large Double chambered Brazilian Caxixi 21.5 inches tall. Hand crafted to be the best sounding caxixi. Following the traditional construction, the base of each caxixi is cut from a dried gourd to give that surprisingly bright, sharp sound. The basketry is hand woven from thin reeds making a light weight, delicate looking instrument. Caxixi are essential if playing the berimbau, but widely applicable to any style of music. Shake the caxixi up and down against the gourd bottom for the high pitched sounds, or back and forth for a softer sound. Each size and shape has a unique sound. Made in Brazil.
Regular Price: $319.20
On Sale For: $299.25
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Caxixi Grandao Unico, 19 1/2 inch Height
SKU: CXGU
Large Single chambered Brazilian Caxixi 19.5 inches tall. Hand crafted to be the best sounding caxixi. Following the traditional construction, the base of each caxixi is cut from a dried gourd to give that surprisingly bright, sharp sound. The basketry is hand woven from thin reeds making a light weight, delicate looking instrument. Caxixi are essential if playing the berimbau, but widely applicable to any style of music. Shake the caxixi up and down against the gourd bottom for the high pitched sounds, or back and forth for a softer sound. Each size and shape has a unique sound. Made in Brazil.
Regular Price: $159.92
On Sale For: $149.93
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Caxixi Medio gr Caxibaco, 12 inch Height
SKU: CXMC
Medium Single chambered Brazilian Caxixi with full gourd resonator 12 inches tall by 5.5 inches in diameter at the base. Hand crafted to be the best sounding caxixi. The hand woven basket chamber sits atop a full hollow gourd resonator. While light weight, delicate looking, you will get a large sound from this caxixi. Caxixi are essential if playing the berimbau, but widely applicable to any style of music. Shake the caxixi up and down against the gourd bottom for the high pitched sounds, or back and forth for a softer sound. Each size and shape has a unique sound. Made in Brazil.
Regular Price: $47.92
On Sale For: $44.93
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