Nigerian Indigenous Musical Instruments across Major Tribes

Nigerian Indigenous Musical Instruments across Major Tribes

Nigeria is home to a vast array of indigenous musical instruments, each deeply embedded in the cultural heritage of its major tribes.

These instruments play a vital role in the history and evolution of Nigerian music, reflecting the country’s diversity in lifestyle, climate, trade, and traditions.

From percussive gongs to melodious string instruments, the unique craftsmanship behind each piece tells a story of Nigeria’s rich musical heritage.

In this article, we will explore remarkable Indigenous Nigerian musical instruments, their names, and how they connect different regions of Nigeria.

Nigerian Indigenous Musical Instruments:  The Influence of Environment on Nigerian Musical Instruments

The geographical diversity of Nigeria significantly influences the types of traditional Nigerian music instruments found in each region.

The availability of natural resources dictates the materials used to craft these indigenous instruments, resulting in a variety of sounds and playing techniques.

Southern Nigeria: Wooden and Gourd-Based Instruments

Southern Nigeria, characterized by its lush vegetation and dense forests, provides an abundance of wood, making it ideal for crafting large wooden musical instruments.

In states like Akwa Ibom, Abia, Bayelsa, and Delta, instruments such as gongs and xylophones are commonly made from high-quality timber.

Additionally, gourds serve as resonators in the construction of thumb pianos, enhancing the depth of sound produced by these instruments. These percussion instruments play a crucial role in cultural heritage and traditional sounds of Nigeria.

Northern Nigeria: String and Membranophone Instruments

In contrast, northern Nigeria consists mostly of savannah grasslands, where cattle rearing is a dominant occupation.

The skins of these cattle are utilized in making string instruments such as the Goge—a traditional bowed lute.

The same materials are also used to craft drumheads for membranophones, which are prominent in Hausa, Fulani, and Kanuri musical traditions.

The scarcity of dense forests in this region means that metal and leather elements play a more significant role in instrument construction.

These instruments are an integral part of African music, contributing to the diverse musical heritage of Nigeria.

Trade and Occupation: Shaping Nigerian Musical Culture

The economic activities in different Nigerian regions further influence the types of indigenous instruments produced.

For example, in areas where blacksmithing is a dominant trade, such as in parts of Kaduna, Sokoto, and Kwara states, metal gongs are the most prevalent musical instruments.

These gongs are played in communal gatherings, traditional Nigerian music performances, and religious ceremonies, symbolizing the unity and rhythm of the people.

Nigerian Indigenous Musical Instruments

Meanwhile, in riverine communities, fishing and canoe carving influence the types of instruments played.

Drums and percussion instruments dominate, reflecting the fluid and rhythmic movements of water.

These instruments are essential in storytelling, traditional dances, and masquerade performances, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Nigerian tribes.

The Rich Diversity of Nigerian Musical Instruments: A Harmonious Blend of Tradition and Innovation

Despite modernization, Nigeria’s indigenous musical instruments remain a crucial aspect of its cultural identity.

Today, these instruments are not only used in traditional settings but are also incorporated into contemporary African music, Afrobeat, highlife, and other global music genres.

This fusion of traditional sounds of Nigeria with modern influences showcases the adaptability and timeless appeal of Nigerian musical instruments.

Classification of Nigerian Indigenous Musical Instruments: A Deep Dive

Nigeria boasts a rich and diverse musical heritage, with indigenous instruments playing a crucial role in traditional Nigerian music.

The classification of musical instruments provides insight into their function, material composition, and cultural significance.

In 1914, German ethnomusicologists Curt Sachs and Erich von Hornbostel introduced a scientific system for categorizing musical instruments.

These classifications include idiophones, membranophones, chordophones, aerophones, and electrophones.

Idiophones: Instruments that Vibrate as a Whole

Idiophones are musical instruments that produce sound primarily through the vibration of their entire body.

They can be made of wood or metal and are played by striking, plucking, or shaking.

In Nigerian musical traditions, idiophones play a significant role in ceremonial and entertainment settings.

Examples of Nigerian Idiophones:

• Shekere (Sekere): Originating from the Yoruba people, the shekere is a percussion instrument made from dried vine gourds. It is encased in a net of beads or cowries, which create sound when shaken. Interestingly, similar instruments can be found in Latin American music.
• Sakara: This is a shallow, circular drum crafted from clay and animal skin. It is popular among the Yoruba and used in both secular and religious contexts.
• Ekwe: Commonly played by the Igbo, this hollowed wooden log drum has two rectangular openings and is beaten with sticks to produce rhythmic sounds. Historically, it was used as a communication tool over long distances.
• Agidigbo: A lamellophone similar to the mbira (thumb piano), the agidigbo is a wooden box with metal tongues that are plucked to produce sound. It is used for rhythm and melody in folk music.
• Ogene: A traditional Igbo iron bell, the ogene is played by striking with a wooden stick. It serves as both a musical instrument and a tool for communication in rural communities.

Membranophones: Instruments with Stretched Skins

Membranophones produce sound through the vibration of a stretched membrane, usually made from animal skin.

These instruments are predominantly used in African music for rhythm and communication.

Examples of Nigerian Membranophones:

• Talking Drum (Gangan): This hourglass-shaped drum can mimic the tonal patterns of human speech, earning its title as the ‘talking drum.’ By adjusting the leather tension cords, drummers create dynamic pitches.
• Djembe: Although originally from West Africa, the djembe is widely played in Nigeria. Its goblet shape, wooden shell, and rawhide drumhead allow for a variety of tones and beats.
• Bata Drum: Similar in shape to the djembe but with two drumheads, the bata drum is used in Yoruba religious and cultural practices.
• Gbedu: Meaning ‘big drum’ in Yoruba, the gbedu drum was historically reserved for royal ceremonies. It is ornately carved, often featuring depictions of the sea goddess Olokun.

Chordophones: Instruments with Vibrating Strings

Chordophones produce sound through the vibration of stretched strings. These string instruments vary in size and structure but serve as integral components of traditional Nigerian music.

Examples of Nigerian Chordophones:

• Goge: A one-stringed fiddle played with a bow, the goge is widely used by the Hausa and Kanuri people of northern Nigeria.
• Kontigi: This Hausa stringed lute has a long handle and one or two strings. Although rare today, it remains a symbol of Hausa musical heritage.
• Xalam: A West African instrument similar to the kontigi, the xalam has nylon strings and a soundbox covered with cattle hide. Musicians often craft their own instruments.
• Raft Zither: This unique chordophone consists of strings stretched over a wooden raft-like structure and is played by plucking.

Aerophones: Instruments that Produce Sound from Air Vibration

Aerophones create sound through the vibration of air within the instrument.

These instruments include flutes, horns, and trumpets, which are played across various Nigerian communities.

Examples of Nigerian Aerophones:

• Kakaki: A long metal trumpet, sometimes reaching four meters in length, kakaki is used exclusively in royal Hausa ceremonies.
• Oja (Flute): The Igbo oja is a small wooden flute with a distinct, piercing sound. It is played by skilled musicians to convey messages and emotions.

Conclusion: The Cultural Significance of Nigerian Musical Instruments

Nigeria, a nation with over 371 ethnic groups, boasts a rich and diverse musical landscape deeply rooted in cultural traditions.

The classification of Nigerian musical instruments provides valuable insight into their historical significance and the remarkable craftsmanship of the people who created them.

From the rhythmic beats of percussion instruments like the shekere to the soulful melodies of stringed instruments such as the goge, these traditional sounds embody the creativity and adaptability of Nigerian musicians.

Beyond their role in entertainment, Nigeria’s indigenous musical instruments serve as powerful symbols of cultural identity, storytelling, and regional heritage.

Whether made from wood, metal, or animal hide, each instrument reflects the resourcefulness of Nigerian tribes and their deep connection to nature.

Preserving these musical traditions not only safeguards Nigeria’s cultural legacy but also strengthens the historical ties to African music as a whole.