African music can be divided into two broad groupings – the music of Northern Africa, such as the Gnawa, and  and the music of Sub-Saharan Africa.

NORTHERN AFRICA

In this region there are the folk musics of the desert peoples, such as the Gnawa found in Morocco,and the music developing from Middle Eastern and Andalucian tradition, seen in performers such as Umm Kulthum.

SUB SAHARAN AFRICA

The music of Sub Saharan Africa is frequently functional in nature. Performances may be long and often involve the participation of the audience – for example, there are work songs, songs accompanying childbirth, marriage, hunting and political activities, music to ward off evil spirits and to pay respects to good spirits, the dead and the ancestors. None of this is performed outside its intended social context and much of it is associated with a particular dance.