Kalindula
Encyclopedia
Kalindula is a kind of bass guitar
which gives its name to a style of popular music
in southern-central Africa
. It originated in the late 20th century and is popular in Zambia
and is also found in Malawi
and Zimbabwe
. Some people claim it originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo but this cannot be fully supported by the evidence. It combines features of 20th century popular music with rhythmic and metric elements.
The kalindula musical style is characterized by an up-tempo rhythm and, in addition to the kalindula bass guitar, one or more hand-crafted guitars which are called 'banjos' (prounounced locally as 'bahn-jo'). Homemade drum sets are also used in some kalindula bands. Kalindula bands in urban areas often incorporate electric guitar
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
. 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.
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
which gives its name to a style of popular music
Popular music
Popular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
in southern-central Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. It originated in the late 20th century and is popular in Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
and is also found in Malawi
Malawi
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
and Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
. Some people claim it originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo but this cannot be fully supported by the evidence. It combines features of 20th century popular music with rhythmic and metric elements.
The kalindula musical style is characterized by an up-tempo rhythm and, in addition to the kalindula bass guitar, one or more hand-crafted guitars which are called 'banjos' (prounounced locally as 'bahn-jo'). Homemade drum sets are also used in some kalindula bands. Kalindula bands in urban areas often incorporate electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
s, electric bass and modern drum sets into their ensembles.
In the Southern Province
Southern Province, Zambia
Southern Province is one of Zambia's nine provinces, and home to Zambia's premier tourist attraction, Mosi-oa-Tunya , shared with Zimbabwe...
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
Green mamba
Green mamba may refer to:* Eastern green mamba* Western green mamba...
and Mashombe Blue Jeans
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....
. Amayenge
Amayenge
Amayenge is the name of a popular Zambian music group. Started by Kris Chali in 1978 in Choma, the band was originally called New Crossbones. The musical style of the group is called kalindula, a distinctive Zambian popular style with traditional African roots. Chali died 30 May 2003, but the...
, winners of the 2005 Ngoma Music Award
Ngoma Music Award
The Ngoma Music Award is an annual Zambian music award ceremony which recognizes the nation's musical talent. The awards are sponsored by the National Arts Council of Zambia. Similar in nature to the all-Africa Kora Awards, the Ngoma Awards give awards for the best male performer, best female...
, are another well-known and long-established group, together with Distro Kuomboka
Distro Kuomboka
Distro Kuomboka were formed at Kabwe in 1979. They are Zambia's longest surviving band . Recognised as Zambia's Best Band at the Ngoma National Music Awards and Best Band in the Copperbelt at the Mukuba Music Awards , Distro Kuomboka are now the resident band at the Mukuba Hotel, in the...
band, winners of several regional and national awards as 'Best Band', who dominate the Kalindula scene on the Copperbelt.