HISTORY
OF THE ACCORDION IN AFRICAN COUNTIRES
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We are
used to hearing traditional African music based on percussion,
but the accordion was very popular between 1880 and 1940.
The white missionaries probably introduced the accordion into
Africa, and much of the continent's music played with accordions
is a mixture of Christian hymns and Latin songs.
The
popularity of the accordion was probably due to it's sturdy
construction and portability. But during the second world
war, the guitar became fashionable (and many other Western
instruments) and the "old style" symbolised by the
accordion lost favour.
Though
many Africans played the accordion, few names are recorded.
Most musicians were only known to those living in the immediate
vicinity, or perhaps the next village. However, in each African
country where the accordion has been popular, we can find
at least one celebrity. Here we have brief details for countries
within Africa.
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GABON
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The accordion
was more popular in Gabon than in any other West African country.
It was introduced at the beginning of the 20th century
by sailors, along with the concertina and the harmonica. Kwame
Asare (nick-named "Sam") began recording accordion
and concertina music in Great Britain. He was taught the dagomba
style of playing (a two fingered technique) by a sailor.
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GHANA
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In the
1940s, the High Life Band of E.T. Mansah had an accordionist,
and several records had accordions and concertinas on them.
The accordion is not known to be played in Ghana today.
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KENYA
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Muranga
Wagatonyie recorded a tape in 1970 on the single row diatonic
accordion. It had African tunes and a Western style waltz.,
and was accompanied by guitar on some tunes. In 1940s recordings
featuring the Maringa style, the accordion is the principal
instrument. Unfortunately, there is no trace of the accordion
in Kenya today.
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LETHOSO
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Over
the years, Lesotho developed a strong accordion tradition,
and today it is played in modern Sotho pop music bands. It
is accompanied by tambourines, guitars and bass guitars. The
musicians are semi-professional, performing on weekends. There
are accordionists in the group "Tau La Linare. The people
of Southern Sotho adopted the accordion into their traditional
music, and have the accordion as the principal instrument.
The accordion is sometimes accompanied by the bass guitar
and percussion.
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NIGERIA
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In the
early 1930's, "Juju Music" appeared in urban
areas of Nigeria. This style incorporated traditional everyday
work music and elaborate concert music, accompanied by percussion
and singing. In the 1940s, the accordion was adapted to this
style by I.K Daïro, the pioneer of the Juju melodeon.
A self-taught accordionist, he created "The Morning Star
Orchestra" in 1954. In 1963 he was made a "Member
of the Order of the British Empire", and has played in
London and Japan.
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SIERRA
LEONE
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The
accordion was played by the Mende tribe. They occupied a 2600
km square piece of land in the south-east of the country.
Generally, bands included Western instruments such as the
guitar, the harmonica, a plastic recorder, and the accordion,
which became very popular. Salias Koroma (b 1903) emerged
from the Yelibah clan. Koroma's father Boboi Kandor was also
an accordion player, and gave his son an accordion, telling
him he had to learn to play, so he taught himself. Salias
Koroma has recorded numerous records, had his biography recorded
by Herbert Hinzen. He has also had a book published.
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SOUTH
AFRICA
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The
accordion can be found in Soweto street bands on the outskirts
of Johannesburg, and in bands of the Afrikaner people. They
play a music called "Boeremusiek", usually on the concertina.
One of the most famous Afrikaner accordionists is Nico Carstens,
who has played the piano accordion for over 50 years. Some
of his recordings were released on Capital Records in the
USA. He has been called the "King of Boeremusiek".
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ZAIRE
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The
Bambala people, originally from the Bandudu region, played
the accordion at parties and family events. They were strongly
influenced by American missionaries. In the 1940's, Antonie
Wendo introduced foreign rhythms on the accordion. This became
popular in clubs and bars. His group "Victoria",
played rhumbas and cha-chas. In the 1950's he opened his own
establishment, where numerous musicians invented what was
later to be called "OK Jazz". Among these bar musicians
was the accordionist Feruzi, who made the Rhumba popular.
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ZANZIBAR
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Ally Salin played the accordion in a band at a local music club
early this century. The club was made up of 42 musicians and
2 technicians. Along with the accordion it apparently had strings,
organ, percussion, electric guitar, and vocals. Mwachano Juma
also played the accordion in one of these clubs.
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