Wassoulou is a genre of West Africanpopular music, named after the region of Wassoulou. It is performed mostly by women, using lyrics that address female problems regarding childbearing, fertility and polygamy. Instrumentation includes soku (a traditional fiddle sometimes replaced with modern imported instruments), djembe drum, kamelengoni (a six-stringed harp), karyaing (metal tube percussion) and bolon (a four-stringed harp). The vocals are typically passionate, emphatic and in a call-and-response format. Prominent artists include Oumou Sangare, Coumba Sidebe, Dienaba Diakite, Kagbe Sidibe and Sali Sidebe.
Islam is the predominant religion of the West African interior and the far west coast of the continent; Christianity is the predominant religion in coastal regions of Nigeria, Ghana, and Cote d'Ivoire; and elements of indigenous religions (see Voodoo) are practised throughout.
Mbalax, Highlife, Fuji and Afrobeat are all modern musical genres which enjoin listeners in this region.
Traditionally, musical and oral history as conveyed over generations by Griots are typical of West African culture.
Also called mbira-based music, one of the best examples of this sound is the music of Thomas Mapfumo.
Morrocan music of people descended from the slaves brought from Mali in the 16th century.
a musical style from Mali typified by a strong Arabic feel along with the sound of the scraping karinyang, women play the fle, a calabash strung with cowrie shells, which they spin and throw into the air in time to the music.
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