The banjo

The banjo — a musical instrument with deep historical roots, emerged from the creativity and resilience of enslaved Africans and their descendants in the Caribbean and colonial North America. Despite the challenging circumstances of slave-labor camps, plantations, and diverse rural and urban environments, they nurtured and preserved this musical tradition. Another instrument closely related to the banjo is the akonting, a spike folk lute played by the Jola tribe of Senegambia, characterized by its gourd body, long wooden neck, and three strings. Additionally, the Igbo people have their own version called the ubaw-akwala. These instruments serve as a testament to the rich cultural heritage and ingenuity of African communities, connecting past and present through the power of music.