The music is based on repetitive melody and rhythm, with little variations and a lot of improvisation.
[2][failed verification] They are done for men initiations, healing, funerals, and keeping the community close together.
These instruments include the cylindrical drums, the arched harp, the harp-zither, lamellaphones, and some rattles.
The molimo in the book, "The Forest People", by Colin Turnbull, is made out of metal pipe slightly bent in the middle.
Sacred instrument to the Baka, not the actual object but rather the sound it makes or imitates.
Along the molimo's way into the village, the player will stop at stream crossings to run water through the instrument or to "give it a drink".
Throughout the performance they use the multiple versions of their drums to add to the percussive voices of the singers and their chanting/ yodeling.
Their chants usually are produced from either the head or chest to create the high and low pitches sung throughout the Makala.
If the singer is using the yodeling style, which is where women shine, she will often stress the end of the expression.
In time, most of the onlookers and dancers will join in by doubling sections or adding variations, which might make the main melodic line fall out entirely.
Each of them will play a diverse rhythmic pattern, which mutually forms a more multifaceted sound rhythm.
The sound of this river drumming joined with their laughter bring happiness across the forest **** For the most part, musical skills are acquired through enculturation.