Folk Music of Equatorial Guinea

The largest ethnic groups in Equatorial Guniea are the fang, though there are several Bubi and the smaller populations of Bisio, Combe, Annobionese,Bujeba and Ndowe people, the fang are known for their mvet, a cross between the zither and harp. The mvet can have up to fifteen cords, the semi-spherical part of this instrument is made of bamboo and the chords are attached to the center by the fibers. The music for the mvet is written in a form of a musical notation that can be only learned by initiates of the bebom-mvet society, the music is typically call and response with a chorus and drums alternating, the musicians such as Eyi Moan Ndong have helped to make the folk pattern well-known.

source of picture: nathannothinsez.blogspot.com

The balele and the risqué ibanga are the two of three several dances that take place in Equatorial Guinea, most of which are followed by a three or four person groups comprising of some arrangement of sanza, drums, zither, bow harp and xylophone. Another famous instrument is the tam-tam, which is carve from a wooden box with an animal skin, in its center, there are bamboo keys which are installed with a complete musical scales. A second type of the tam-tam has two distinct levels of musical keys; generally the wooden musical instruments are designed with funa images and geometric drawings. The drums are covered with an animal skins or animal drawings.