QUIET FOOL, listen, while the euphonious whispers fill the air. While most think of African instruments to be mainly percussive, the soft-sounding instruments like the Kalimba are deeply rooted within African culture. This unique gift of music has over 100 traditional variations, and depending on where you are in Africa, the name of the instrument will change. My grandfather had a Kalimba and passed it down to my mother who has now passed it down to me. Although I can say I am proud to be apart of the positive culture in society, to have a connection to the birthplace of man and where the seeds to my family tree were planted opens my eyes to how deep my family’s history goes. Some believe that the Kalimba was invented to become a portable instrument of the xylophone, but due to the African diaspora, most African history is recorded and taught in the European narrative causing African history prior to the 15th century to be overlooked. Despite the beautiful sounds of the Kalimba, the sound is more than music created from a block of wood; this instrument is apart of my African heritage and projects centuries of history that has been put under wraps with the hope of it never coming to light. Due to the fact, the Kalimba is the only tangible item I have of my grandfather, I am able to hear the sweet vibrations of the clouds and the celebrations of my ancestors.

– Aliajah

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