Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

FUJI

African style featuring vocals and percussion emerging in Lagos, Nigeria, mid-'70s. During the 19th century Islam took strong hold on the Yoruban people, being more tolerant than Christianity towards trad. religion and arts; by early 20th century trad. music was synonymous with Islamic music. Styles emerged, used to mark religious occasions, other festivities; among them Waka (female vocals and percussion), Sakara (dun-dun drums and one-string fiddle) and Apala (star Haruna Ishola d '83); these in turn acquired recreational uses. Repertoire of various ensembles flourishing in '40s--50s incl. praise singing; professional drum ensembles emerged, recording prolifically and finding ready audiences in urban centres; out of all this fuji finally emerged to become the most popular recreational music in Western Nigeria. Fuji ensemble usually features between ten and twelve vocalists and percussionists, with amplification, Western-style drum kit adding commercial appeal. Fuji is now most closely associated with Barrister and Ayinya Kollington.