Kalindula is a kind of
bass guitar
The bass guitar (), also known as the electric bass guitar, electric bass, or simply the bass, is the lowest-pitched member of the guitar family. It is similar in appearance and construction to an Electric guitar, electric but with a longer nec ...
which gives its name to a style of
popular music
Popular music is music with wide appeal that is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. These forms and styles can be enjoyed and performed by people with little or no musical training.Popular Music. (2015). ''Fun ...
in southern-central
Africa
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Earth's land area and 6% of its total surfac ...
. It originated in the late 20th century and is popular in
Zambia
Zambia, officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central Africa, Central, Southern Africa, Southern and East Africa. It is typically referred to being in South-Central Africa or Southern Africa. It is bor ...
and is also found in
Malawi
Malawi, officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa. It is bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northeast, and Mozambique to the east, south, and southwest. Malawi spans over and ...
and
Zimbabwe
file:Zimbabwe, relief map.jpg, upright=1.22, Zimbabwe, relief map
Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Bots ...
. Some people claim it originated in the
Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo (the last ambiguously also referring to the neighbouring Republic of the Congo), is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is t ...
but this cannot be fully supported by the evidence. Within Zambia, Kalindula is believed to have originated in
Luapula
The Luapula River is a north-flowing river of central Africa, within the Congo River watershed. It rises in the wetlands of Lake Bangweulu (Zambia), which are fed by the Chambeshi River. The Luapula flows west then north, marking the border betw ...
Province, particularly in the
Samfya district. This genre evolved during the mid 1940s to early 60s from a local dance known as Kontolola or Pimpinika. The genre is regarded as neo-traditional music because it blends elements of popular
20th century music with traditional Zambian styles like Akalela and Infunkutu.
Traditional Kalindula is primarily performed using homemade instruments, such as the banjo (pronounced locally as 'bahn-jo'). and the babatoni, commonly referred to as akalindula. These are often accompanied by percussion instruments like shakers, known locally as umunsakayi, and one or two drums which are struck with sticks called imishimpo. The rhythm section is typically enhanced by lighter percussion, produced by striking a bottle with a six-inch steel nail, adding a unique texture to the music. Kalindula bands in urban areas often incorporate
electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that requires external electric Guitar amplifier, sound amplification in order to be heard at typical performance volumes, unlike a standard acoustic guitar. It uses one or more pickup (music technology), pickups ...
s, electric bass and modern drum sets into their ensembles.
In the
Southern Province of Zambia, kalindula bands compete to participate in the annual Tonga Music Festival sponsored by Chikuni Radio station. Winning groups are offered recording contracts by the radio station and their tapes are sold in markets throughout the province. Current favorites in the Southern Province are
Green Mamba and
Mashombe Blue Jeans
Mashombe Blue Jeans is one of a number of '' kalindula'' ensembles from the Southern Province of Zambia. Like other ''kalindula'' groups, they sing and play a style of Zambian music that blends traditional with modern musical materials.
Their r ...
.
Amayenge, winners of the 2005
Ngoma Music Award, are another well-known and long-established group, together with Distro Kuomboka band, winners of several regional and national awards as 'Best Band', who dominate the Kalindula scene on the Copperbelt.
See also
*
List of African musicians
External links
*
Tonga Music Festival photo gallery Kalindula Music VideosMusical instruments in Zambia: kalindulaSongs and dances in Zambia: kalindulaGatherings in Zambia: social dance meetings, kalindula icilaGatherings in Zambia: modern beer party, kalindula sandauni
Other information
{{Authority control
Zambian musical instruments
Music of Malawi
Zimbabwean musical instruments
Bass guitars