2017/11/01 by Vimbai Chamisa · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Adaptation (eye) #Aesthetics #African history and culture studies #African studies and sociopolitical issues #Art #Imitation #Linguistics #Music History and Culture #Musical #Period (music) #Popular music #Psychology #Rhythm #Shona #Social psychology #Sociology #Violin musical styles #Visual arts
paper · doi:10.21504/amj.v10i3.2195
published in African Music Journal of the International Library of African Music 10(3), 45-61 (International Library of African Music)
openalex publication_date 2017/11/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
The focus of this article is on Zimbabwean popular songs that adapt traditional Shona ngoma (drum) genres. Its purpose is twofold. First, the article identifies Zimbabwean popular musicians’ various approaches to the adaptation of traditional rhythmic patterns and song texts associated with certain ngoma genres. Second, it examines how these approaches influence the process of redefining the Shona musical tradition. It is argued that the traditional drumming patterns and styles incorporated within specific Shona popular songs have an important role in redefining this music culture within Zimbabwean popular music in general. A critical analysis is conducted on selected ngoma-influenced, Zimbabwean popular songs and the opinions expressed by the popular musicians who create the music. Three different approaches of adapting ngoma rhythms have been identified and are explained. These approaches are realised in the “integration†of musical and non-musical elements, “framework†as far as the imitation of structure is concerned, and “componentâ€, as far as content is concerned.