International xylophone festival: Yaounde celebrates cultural instrument • FRANCE 24 English
the air trumped with sounds of traditional music during the opening ceremony of the international xylophone Festival in yunde held at Club Noah on the outskirts of the capital of Cameroon it captivated audiences who washed as xylophone virtuosos competed against each other 17-year-old ammani has been playing the instrument since childhood we’ve had the xylophone at home since I was very young I just immersed myself in the instrument since it was already in my environment from time to time I tried it out and one day I could do it this third edition of the Y International xylophone Festival Drew musicians from all over the world including big names like males Mustafa demele the festival also offered up compositions that Fus traditional African music and Jazz a mix of that went down with even the most experienced listeners there are some talented young xylophone players here in Cameroon and we’re really working together to restore the image people have of this instrument the xylophone is really important in Africa it’s part of our tradition he pan is a driving force behind the festival he is a passionate fan of the xylophone and fears that the instrument one in popularity in Africa means its Rich sounds risk falling silent the xylophone risks disappearing if we do nothing this is because it’s been gradually overshadowed in a few years time if we don’t do something to protect our own culture it will practically disappear although it is recognized by UNESCO as part of Humanity’s intangible cultural heritage the xylophone is not very popular with contemporary African youth the festival is doing what it can to turn up the volume on the ancestral instrument
Also known locally as the Mendzang, the xylophone has a small but dedicated following in Cameroon. A festival dedicated to its sounds has just wrapped up, as FRANCE 24’s team on the ground reports.
#Cameroon #Xylophone #culture
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