Which of the following are examples of traditional African instruments?

• A. Mbira, dagbama, xylophones, lutes, harps manipulated to jingle, buzz or rattle
• B. Violin, trumpet, tuba
• C. Drum kit and electric guitar
• D. Oboe, bassoon, clarinet

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is recognizing instruments that originate from Africa and are part of traditional African music practices. The set described includes mbira (a thumb piano) whose metal tines create a bright tone and a buzzing accompanyment, dagbama (a talking or pitch-shaded drum) used to mimic speech through pitch changes, xylophones like the balafon with wooden keys, and lutes or harps that are designed to produce distinctive rhythmic or buzzing textures. This blend reflects Africa’s diverse instrument families and playing techniques, from idiophones to chordophones and membranes, and their characteristic timbres and performance practices.

In contrast, the other options list instruments strongly tied to Western classical or modern popular music—violin, trumpet, tuba; drum kit and electric guitar; oboe, bassoon, clarinet—rather than traditional African ensembles.