Cameroon

Cameroon music and dance is one of most popular music in Africa. Cameroon has its own rhythm with interesting instruments. The rhythm is called 'Makossa.' This rhythm is mostly used for dance music, so you can still hear this type of rhythm at a dance. Makossa is also a traditional folk song mixed with Latin music. Makossa can be made with Cameroon's traditional instrument which is called 'thumb piano.' Also, Makossa can be made with any other modern instruments like guitar or synthesizer. 'Manu Dibango' has made Makossa famous all over the world in early 1970's. Cameroon's music is similar to other types of music in its continent, Africa. African music usually consists of a lot of percussion. The music is usually lack of vocals; the only vocals that you could possibly hear in a South African are chants, cheers in the background of the music. The main instrument that creates the melody for the songs (the thumb piano) does not only play as tunes for the songs, but also play in specific beats in rhythm with the songs. The songs from the Extreme Northern Cameroon have repetitive beats, melody and the ‘Markossa’ rhythm throughout the song along with powerful vocals. Usually, the dance comes at the bridge of the song and this is also where the melody stops and the beats slowed down in rhythm with the dance. The songs usually end with a powerful beat and dance move at the end. From the North West region of Cameroon, there is a larger group of people involved in a performance. A group of men will play the different instruments, women will do the dancing and one person in charge of the ‘commanding’. The folk music from North East of Cameroon (the Bamoun Kingdom) was mostly written around the 15th century. The music of this area of Cameroon isn’t as well known as the others because it is hard to find information about the Bamoun Kingdom as it is a very old civilization. The songs in this region of Cameroon are usually performed by a small group of people (from 3 – 4) and they are each in charge of a different type of instrument. 
 * Cameroon: **

Written by: Van Do & So Hee Jeong

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