This is a web site dedicated to promoting traditional Congolese drumming in the Research Triangle area in North Carolina. It has been fantastic to watch African music here grow from a curiosity in the mid 80's to what it is today. There are many accomplished musicians who both live here and visit, and many devotees of the art form. But traditional Congolese music, a favorite throughout much of the world including much of Africa, is still largely missing from the Research Triangle. Congolese drumming is similar in style and motifs to West African drumming. The main difference may be that the drums most often used, the Ngoma and the Conga, are more deep-toned. The lead drum parts are usually a little less ornate and the tempo a little slower, though not always and the lead is most often played on the deepest drum. When congas are used they are generally tuned fairly low. The result is that where the West African music tends to sound affable, the Central African tends to sound serious. Thus, they complement each other.

The Republic of the Congo or Congo-Brazzaville is located on Africa's west coast, bordering five other nations. More than half of its 3 million inhabitants live in the capital of Brazzaville, making it one of Africa's most urbanized countries. The rest of the population is spread out along its southwest coastline, leaving most of the country covered by tropical rainforests and farmland. Though this web site focuses mostly on the music of Congo-Brazzaville, Kinshasa is just across the Congo River from Brazzaville and the music of that region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (former Zaire) is highly similar.

Ngoma and nsakalas (wrist rattles). Since the ngoma used traditionally for this music is uncommon in this country, many musicians use the conga. With either instrument a live performance by the virtuosos is compelling. You can feel the drum beats go through your chest and then vibrate your hair after rebounding from the wall. It is hard to remain indifferent to this music. It is probably similar to the rhythms that panicked the great psychiatrist Carl Jung. Though this would be an unusual reaction in our culture today, faces in an audience speak a range of reactions from exuberance to self control. It is music of intricate beauty as well as power and funk.

Music on the home page was excerpted from the French record album FWA KONGO, recorded in 1975 by the Ballet Kodia. The group was started by Jean Loulendo and co-founded by Bertrand Nzoutani and Andre Badila. This site was designed by Court Wilson. To contact the administrator, send an email to admin@brazzabeat.org.