Two options for South Africa in the '𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥' series.

South Africa has strong choral traditions but relatively few indigenous instruments. The country has many kinds of musical bows, several drums, some reedpipes, and one xylophone pointing to the rich elements of rhythm, music, song and dance inherent to African culture, and an integral part of most African ceremonies and rituals. Some of the indigenous musical instruments in South Africa include:

𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐤𝐢𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫, also known as the ‘blikkitaar’, is an iconic, indigenous instrument pioneered by the Khoikhoi people in the 18th century. The early guitar was made from a gourd, a large fruit with a hard skin. Although the ramkie guitar can be made from various materials, its base structure is the same throughout South Africa. The ‘modern’ version of the guitar is made from a hollow oil can, or anything similar in weight and shape, with three to four strings made from fishing wire that is attached to a piece of wood. It is mostly used for chord playing and not for melodic patterns.

Today, the ramkie guitar is a popular instrument that locals sell to tourists as memorabilia. They are often made from oil cans painted with the colours of the South African flag.

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚 — The pure, joyful sounds of the marimba are synonymous with the vibrancy of South Africa. The instrument is a symbol of the country’s tenacity and colourful heritage. It has a rich history, dating back to the 14th century when the marimba instrument comprised of two or three slabs of disconnected wood, which would be laid across the musician’s legs seated on the ground. The musician would hook his legs under the leg of wood to stabilize the instrument. The early forms of marimbas had wooden bars/keys, with suspended gourds below. Each gourd was individually tuned to the pitch of its corresponding key.

The jubilant expression of the marimba is a popular sound heard among South Africans. Street performers hit the marimba enthusiastically as tourists pass by; choirs make use of the instrument when indigenous African songs are sung. It is used by various outreach organisations to teach underprivileged children music.