"A good drummer listens as much as he plays." ~ Indian Proverb
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"A good drummer listens as much as he plays." ~ Indian Proverb
Percussion Store Drummers Drum Lessons Drumming FAQs
International Shipping
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An Ancient African Drum Chant of Peace and Conviviality
Fanga is a fun chant that captures the essence of peace, friendship conviviality
and hospitality. In singing the fanga there needs to be a Caller and a
Responder. The lyrics are simple but fun.
Call: Fanga Alafiya (ah-lah-fee-yah)
Response: Ashe Ashe (ah shay)
Caller: Fan-ga, A-la-fi-ya
Response: A-she, A-she
Together: Ashe Ashe Ashe Ashe, Ashe Ashe Ashe Ashe
Ashe Ashe Ashe Ashe,
Ashe Ashe Ashe Ashe
Reverse the caller and responder.
Group 1: Fang-Alafyia, fang-alafiya
Group 2: Ashe-Ashe, Ashe-Ashe
The Meaning of Fanga Alafyia
Ashe = so be it
Ashe, ashe = so be it, so be it
The Culture
of Fanga
Fanga was used by traveling tribes upon entering new villages.
When a visiting tribe was approaching a village they would sing Fanga-Alafiya to indicate that they come in peace
If the villagers welcome them, they reply: Ashe-Ashe
Then, the travelers and
villagers reverse the lines..
The fanga song was often the common denominator between tribes that otherwise spoke different languages. Music is a true universal language.