Origins of conga

[Jason]

guys,

anyone tell me where in Africa the conga originated in its primitive state before it came to cuba and was modified as
what we now know. Also can you tell me the original name
it was called in Africa.

Peace

J

[RitmoBoricua]

guys,

anyone tell me where in Africa the conga originated in its primitive state before it came to cuba and was modified as
what we now know. Also can you tell me the original name
it was called in Africa.

Peace

J

You need to look at "West Africa" and from there came most of the slaves to America. Places like Senegal, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Morocco, Tunisia etc. From those countries came the forerunners of drums like congas, bongos, batas, talking drums etc plus traditions and religions. I hope this help you.

[tamboricua]

Hi Congaforum,

Hope all is well! The conga drum (tumbadora) has its ancestors in the Makuta drums of Congolese origin. Specifically the Bantú tribe played a very similar drum to what is known today as the conga drums.

Saludos,

Jorge Ginorio

[Jason]

Hi both of you,

thanks for the help. Yeah that rings a bell Jorge , yeah the Bantu tribe. I remember hearing it on a conga video some
time ago. Now I can complete my mini site dedicated to the Conga Drum.

Peace

J

[congastu]

Its also worth noting that although not direct ancestors, other west african instruments are referred to as african congas and share similarities in tone and playing styles.
These include bougarabous [played alongside djembe and dunduns] and the kpanlogo drums of ghana.

[RitmoBoricua]

Its also worth noting that although not direct ancestors, other west african instruments are referred to as african congas and share similarities in tone and playing styles.
These include bougarabous [played alongside djembe and dunduns] and the kpanlogo drums of ghana.

You hit it right on the head. Many regions and tribes in Africa had similar drums. Also you have to note while in Cuba they modified african drums and came up with "Tumbadoras" in another places in the Caribbean like Puerto Rico for instance the same process was taken place and in Puerto Rico they came-up with "Barriles" basically the same thing as
"Tumbadoras". There were parallels within the African cultures and within Caribbean cultures as well.

[Johnny Conga]

I can tell you that the "conga" line or dance was created on the slave ships coming over from Africa. The slaves were made to move in a line chained to one ankle and were made to kick the free foot "out",on the deck of the ship, while the hands were on the shoulders of the slave in front of him as they were all chained together. There was also a drum of some sort to beat out some rhythm for them.I also believe the rhythm came out of the "Bantu" people. On a slave ship you could have 100 different tribesmen,and most not even being able to speak to each other. But somehow the rhythms survived through these slaves......JC JOHNNY CONGA....

[zaragemca]

The situation is that the creators are the Bantu people, when they had the (Bantu Impire) which builded the Ngomas(granfather of Congas),the Impire was divided,and Portugal took a (1/3) and called Angola...France took another (1/3) and called it Congo Brazaville,and Germany took another (1/3) and called it Republic of Congo when granting the independency,somo others relocated to other places like Ghana,etc.It is a Central African culture it have never been part of the western,or East Africa civilization, neither North Africa.Through the Cabildos was incorporated in to cuban Carnivals and the folkloric music,Yambu,Guaguanco,Rumba,and later into the general music of Orquestas,Conjuntos and Charangas.



Edited By zaragemca on 1089210436

[changolaye]

very well said to alot of u guys from wat i know the conga is of congolese origin conga/congo it originates from the palo drums carved from a solid whole tree piece the bantus would use 3 drums they were long and rustic lookin and very tall wit either roped or nailed skins the drums names were cachimba little one quinfuiti medium and large boko they were played for religious and social gatherings in congerias or congo bantu cabildos also look at dominican palo drums same exact thing