Explain, with examples, any five features of African music. 2. Discuss five important roles of music in any traditional African festival of your choice. 3. Do you agree that traditional African music will go extinct in the near future due to rapid urbanization and social change? Give five reasons to explain your answer. 4. With examples, discuss the steady growth of women's contribution to African popular music. 5. Explain the term "African Art Music," and describe any five features of the art form

Features of African Music:

• Polyrhythms: African music often incorporates multiple rhythms played simultaneously. For example, in a traditional drum ensemble, each drummer may play a different rhythm.
• Call and Response: This is a succession of two distinct phrases where the second phrase is heard as a direct commentary on or response to the first. For example, a lead singer may sing a line and the chorus responds.
• Use of Percussion: African music heavily relies on percussion instruments like drums, rattles, and bells. For example, the Djembe, a West African drum, is a key instrument in many African musical traditions.
• Repetition: Repetition is a common feature in African music, both in terms of rhythms and lyrics. This can be seen in the traditional Zulu song "Shosholoza" which repeats the same melody and lyrics.
• Improvisation: African music often allows for improvisation, giving musicians the freedom to add their personal touch. For example, a solo guitarist in a Congolese Soukous band may improvise during a break in the song.

Roles of Music in African Festivals (Using the example of the Yoruba Festival in Nigeria):

• Communication: Music is used to communicate messages, history, and traditions.
• Celebration: Music is used to express joy and celebration during the festival.
• Rituals: Music accompanies rituals and ceremonies, such as the pouring of libations.
• Unity: Music brings people together, fostering a sense of community and unity.
• Entertainment: Music provides entertainment for festival attendees.

On the extinction of traditional African music:

• I disagree. While urbanization and social change are influencing African music, they are also providing new platforms for its promotion and preservation.
• Traditional music is being fused with modern genres, creating a new audience for it.
• Many African musicians are consciously preserving traditional music by incorporating it into their work.
• Institutions are being established to study and preserve traditional African music.
• The global interest in African music is growing, leading to its increased visibility and preservation.

Women's Contribution to African Popular Music:

• Women like Miriam Makeba and Angelique Kidjo have made significant contributions to African music, gaining international recognition.
• Women are breaking barriers in genres traditionally dominated by men, like the Tuareg guitar music, where Fatou Seidi Ghali has gained prominence.
• Women are using music to address social issues, like Stella Chiweshe who uses her music to address women's issues in Zimbabwe.
• Women are leading in the fusion of traditional and modern music, like Yemi Alade in Nigeria.
• Women are also excelling as music producers and managers, contributing to the growth of the music industry.

African Art Music:

• African Art Music is a modern development in African music, which combines Western classical music traditions with African musical elements.
• Features include the use of African melodies and rhythms, incorporation of African instruments, use of African languages, inspiration from African history and folklore, and the fusion of Western and African musical structures.