Instrument of the week
The name Xylophone comes from the Greek words ‘xylon’ and ‘phone’ which translates as the phrase ‘wood sound’. It is an instrument in the percussion family which is made up of different lengths of wooden bars which make different sounds when hit with sticks or padded beaters.
Early examples of this instrument have been found across the globe from South East Asia to Africa but it has been commonly accepted that the instrument was invented in Asia over 4000 years ago.
Xylophones are however often linked to the continent of Africa, with the earliest designs being very similar to that of early Asian designs. It is estimated that the instrument reached the continent before the 14th century. There have been documents found in Mali mentioning the instruments and missionaries from Portugal in the country of Ethiopia reported fancier versions of the instrument in the 16th century.
Early examples of this instrument have been found across the globe from South East Asia to Africa but it has been commonly accepted that the instrument was invented in Asia over 4000 years ago.
Xylophones are however often linked to the continent of Africa, with the earliest designs being very similar to that of early Asian designs. It is estimated that the instrument reached the continent before the 14th century. There have been documents found in Mali mentioning the instruments and missionaries from Portugal in the country of Ethiopia reported fancier versions of the instrument in the 16th century.