African cultural education and activities often focus on drumming, and though an extremely important part of African culture: did you know Africa has a wide variety of harps, lutes, xylophones and zithers which have a variety of uses?

The African Musical Instruments book contains twenty-one instruments from mainly sub-Saharan Africa with an illustration and information on each. These introduce ideas of cultural values and customs, spirituality and beliefs, creativity, artisan skill and the technologies that go into producing the instrument, rather than learning about any of these in isolation.  This coupled with the instruments themselves provide endless fun and child participation whilst at the same time learning about new interesting cultures through a creative medium. 

Not only this, but the book contains an introduction into the role of music in African culture; types and regions of African music; instrument classification; a glossary; and the spread of African music beyond the continent and into the diaspora, who held onto their culture in the Americas laying the foundations for new types of music and indeed Western pop music.

The only book of its kind, and aimed at children is bright and beautifully designed; there is also a colouring book version for children to get creative! 

It’s an important tool which will help to instil cultural knowledge, pride, and a positive self image and identity. It also puts into context what we mainly learn about black history at school by showing the very culture people were fighting to hold on to; we see how this was the foundation for resistance in the various global civil rights movements and chattel slavery. But it’s not about fighting! – it’s about celebrating the long African history and culture looking at the great kingdoms of Songhai, Great Zimbabwe, the Empire of Mali and Ancient Egypt.

Make this black history month as fun, positive and informative as can be!


ISBN: African Musical Instruments Book - 9781627761420
African Musical Instruments Book: Colouring Book - 9781627762502
African Patterns Colouring Book - 9781627768214

Available via the website, Nielsen, Amazon and Waterstones.
www.AMI-Book.com

Discounts for school bulk orders and a selection of *instruments available.
*Fairly traded, and ethically produced by African artisans and craftspeople.

Interested in workshops?

On Saturday 10th of August, Boston Manor Park saw a joyful celebration of Zimbabwean heritage and culture - Zimfest London in its 11th year is a charity festival championing the  music, community and culture of Zimbabwe to her diaspora and lovers of her culture.

I was scheduled to assist at a children's African instrument workshop with the talented Tafi Mushuku, mbira  player of Arimba Marimba - a group who are passionate about African instruments and traditional music, and do educational workshops with schools.

Before the workshop, I had the pleasure of watching Arimba Marimba perform in the O2 tent and they were received very well by us, the audience who were dancing and joining in with the call and response wholeheartedly.  The set up featured two mbira (the national instrument of Zimbabwe) players, a percussionist, a drummer and singing from all four members; they sang traditional songs with spontaneous variations and additions, and gave a truly spirited and uplifting performance.

Zimfest was established in 2001 by Zimbabwean expats determined to cultivate positive action following the turbulence in their home country. Year after year thousands of people come together to eat fantastic food and listen to great music, contemporary and traditional, in a home from home. It has provided a platform for the celebration of its multicultural society by bringing together diverse acts all in one event. There were live performances, food and craft stalls, a children's area and a book corner where my books and cards could be found.

This year Zimfest was hosted by Homelanz, an umbrella event celebrating cultures from the southern hemisphere including Australian, New Zealand and South African so there was something for everyone; I was very excited to see Maori performers backstage. Around the world, Zimfest celebrates in the US and Zimbabwe as well as in London.

Zimfest is a charity event - funds raised here and other events organised by WEZIMBABWE support youth development, education, human rights delivery and the provision of basic support for the victims of the crisis in Zimbabwe. To date they have raised over £150,000 at Zimfest which has facilitated the education of thousands of children and made contributions towards a wide spectrum of causes in Zimbabwe. 

www.zimfestlive.com