Vanuatu Water drumming that is fundamentally identical to African water drumming

Cultural comparable to Africa.

Just as in Africa, from washing clothes, women in Vanuatu customarily play water drums.

African version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_ZkN4qKPwc

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Melanesia
• Africa
• Papua
• Tanzania
• Fiji
• Madagascar
• Solomon islands
• Kenya
• Vanuatu
• Congo
• New Caledonia
• Mozambique

[thotsins]

@747t Sure, hope you enjoyed the clips.

[thotsins]

@747t Well this video was not made for westerners, the way europeans classify cultural characteristics/kinship is VERY different from a lot of other cultures.

This video was made for pacific islanders/africans who asked to see footage of the dances & cultural aspects we have in common, and most of us know what we mean when we say "identical" or "same."

But for others who don't understand our traditional concept of "identical," yes, I could modify the title.

[747t]

@thotsins Thank you for the new knowledge :) but let it be known I never said Africans play ONLY poylrhythms. My original comment said that the African style "includes polyrhythms". The examples of water drumming from the Pacific that I've see on youtube don't. It wasn't meant to be an over-generalization but about the videos.

[thotsins]

@747t "Have you consulted Melanesians or Polynesians on their level of kinship with Africans?"

YES, did that a long time ago. And from us both consulting together our traditions both say we and our cultures originated from the same identical stock.

The only people who disagree are ignorant people have not done enough research of both sides, African & Oceanic. The differences are more minute compared to the identical features.

[thotsins]

@747t True, It's just the mistake westerners make is coming to a foreign land & making broad generalizations of other peoples cultures based off seeing very little. Then they interpret that little bit they saw through a western perspective.

I've heard it all from "we had no writing systems," to "our dances only consist of high energy jumping up & down," to all africans are "black skinned," & now to "we play polyrhythms only."

So, I'm sure you know what I mean.

[thotsins]

@747t Yes, in africa we may have the most complex polyrhythms, but that doesn't mean all we play is polyrhythms and other places outside don't. And again in africa something being identical is not determined by whether it is polyrhythm or not, cuz we can play the SAME rhythm in both a polyrhythm & single rhythm style—and we in fact do! But it is the rhythm STYLE itself & the purpose of the dance that determines whether it is identical or not. The codes are in the style. We just get very complex

[thotsins]

@747t There is not very much good abundant footage on youtube but this can start a foundation for you...

Melanesia (are'are is known for polyrhythms)

watch?v=-5T0x2TAsC0

watch?v=40oTJbqLsCk&feature=re­lated (there is more than one melody being played here.)

Polynesians are also known to have polyrhthms.

watch?v=aVwy6NqbehY (more than one rhythm being played here.)

I took polynesian dance & played the drums so I know there are polyrhythms played simultaneously in oceania.

[thotsins]

@747t Yes, understood, I don't view this as an argument.

It is "Identical" depending on whether you look at it through a western definition of identical or not.

In African mentality this is the same dance, so thus identical. There is so much variety that we do with just one style, that to us, yes, it is still identical.

In Africa we can play the SAME rhythm according to a polyrhythmic fashion, or a single melody fashion, & it is still IDENTICAL.

[747t]

@thotsins I see that your point has some validity when placed in context. Africa is the most genetically and culturally diverse continent - that is known and largely unacknowledged. Yet still, the cultures are different. Have you consulted Melanesians or Polynesians on their level of kinship with Africans? You might find many see more difference than similarity. I known many of both for myself, and trust me, they differ. Its like white feminists who see a "global sisterhood" where others do not.

[747t]

I'd like to hear the Polynesian/Melanesian polyrhythm you speak of. (NOTICE) This is not an argument. I genuinely would like to if you have any videos or materials you can refer me to. I do not deny the existence of such as I will admit to my lack of knowledge. Even if you cannot provide them I don't argue it. Thanks.