1.Maracas
While some argue that this instrument has a Latin origin, others say that the Maracas is of West African origin. Maraca belongs to the percussion family of musical instruments, an object shaped like a gourd covered with beads usually arranged on strings.
The gourd could also be filled with pebbles or beads. Once the gourd is slapped, a unique sound is produced. It is often called "shekere" in Yoruba
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2. Mbira
It is often referred to as a "thumb piano" played with the thumb and fingers. The Mbira is an old musical instrument found in Africa as a continent.
However, the Shona people of Zimbabwe have closer relations with the instrument. It belongs to the idiophone family with about 22-28 keys attached to the wooden surface.
3. Djembe
This is one magnificent instrument famous for its versatility. Striking different parts of the drum produces a wide range of pitch sounds.
This percussion instrument can be traced back to the Mandinka- present-day Mali in West Africa; it then spread across the other West African countries; Guinea, Senegal, and Gambia.
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4. Algaita
This instrument belongs to the woodwind family. It is leathered covered wood consisting of a brass mouth pipe, with four holes on the pipe for the fingers. The Algaita originated in West Africa; played amongst the Fulani people of Northern Nigeria.
The sound is produced from the pipe as a result of vibration when air is blown into it. This sound is sometimes used in jazz music.
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5. Talking Drum
Like the djembe, the talking drum is quite popular for the range in pitch when beaten.
This hour-shaped instrument made from animal skin is one of the oldest musical instruments in West Africa. Its origin dates back to the Yoruba's, the Bono people, and the Ghana empire.
![](https://static.tildacdn.com/tild6438-6130-4666-b933-333066373531/images_-_2022-09-13T.jpeg)
6. Marimba
This musical instrument consists of small wooden planks arranged on a wooden platform(usually like the bars on a piano). In a way, the Marimba can be referred to as an African xylophone.
Sounds are produced by hitting the wooden planks with a mallet or stick. The Marimba is played in Kenya, Zambia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
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7. Kora
A string instrument is often likened to a guitar or harp, and it is made up of a wide-sized calabash as the body and 21 strings. The Kora is a historic African instrument originating in Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau.
![](https://static.tildacdn.com/tild3164-3337-4037-b462-613936363166/images_-_2022-09-13T.jpeg)