Ngoma music

Ngoma (also ng'oma or ing'oma) is a Swahili term with many connotations that encompasse music, dance, and instruments. In Tanzania ngoma also refers to events, both life-changing events such as the first menstruation, the birth or passing of a loved one, as well as events such as celebrations, rituals, or competitions. In traditional societies, Ngoma was the primary form of music and dance throughout the Great Lakes and Southern Africa. Today it is a musical genre in Tanzania, deemed an official musical form by the National Arts Council (BASATA - Baraza la Sanaa la Taifa). In Tanzania, it is common throughout the country, performed, taught, and studied in schools and universities. The national academy for ngoma is the Bagamoyo Arts and Cultural Institute, which has produced many ngoma musicians and dancers.

Traditional forms of ngoma dancing consist of prominent movements of the hips. The musical compositions use a variety of instruments, including traditional string instruments and horns, but most prominently the use of drums. In some other local traditions, no instruments are used, such as in the Ambrokoi dance of the Maasai or the Ligihu of the Ngoni. These are usually dances with jumping and stomping, with rhythmic movement and often a more competitive aspect than those dances with instruments.