A Drum’s Trans-Atlantic Journey from Africa to the Americas and Back after the end of Slavery: Annobonese and Fernandino musical cultures.

Abstract

Musical instruments are an intrinsic part of culture accompanying people as an essential factor in shaping the identity preserved through memory. In Equatorial Guinea there are some ethnic and social groups: Fang, Bubi, Ndowe, etc. It is in relation to the Annobonese and the Fernandinos musical culture, that the concept of “Return trip to Africa” becomes meaningful. This paper discusses this focusing on instruments such as cumbé, kunkí, and dances such as cumbé or bonkó, which constitute an African legacy that has returned and has become a part of Equatorial Guinea’s musical culture. The paper’s main point is that the identity given by the African elements has remained active until today.

Keywords: Gumbé, cumbé, kunkí, Fernandino Creoles, Annobonese, Equatorial Guinea, musical instruments, slavery.