Rites and Rhythms

Transcending beyond music, African percussion is a vital component of culture and spirituality across the continent. The percussive rhythms of African people are deeply embedded in their communities’ rites and rituals, such as births, weddings, funerals, initiation rites, harvest festivals, healing practices, and dance rituals, among others. This sample pack combines the talents of multiple percussionists and features some of the most prominent instruments in African ceremonies, including djembe drums, talking drums, and balafons. Recorded in Dakar at Studio LA boutique, producer Pape Armand Boyce focused on the rhythms of South Africa, Senegal, Benin, and Xin—a group of percussion instruments used by Spiritual people: the Bayer Flared more about how African percussion is an essential thread in the rich tapestry of African spirituality and culture in the Story tab of this page.

298 Samples