The banjo is an instrument important to the American music culture, but its roots are in Africa. It was created by enslaved Africans in the Caribbean and the United States in the late 1600’s. They wanted to bring a piece of their West African culture with them. So, they merged features of the African lute and gurmi, and European instruments such as the guitar. The banjo was used when singing and dancing in moments in which the enslaved Africans didn;t have to work the plantation. This helped in recreating some of their traditions from Africa. The sounds brought joy and happiness for a moment before going back to the misery of slavery.
In the 1830’s, Minstrel shows came into existence. With this, White Americans would dress in blackface and mocked the enslaved. The shows became a popular form of entertainment. It was even introduced to Europeans. One of the stars from these shows was Joel Walker Sweeney. He was the first to bring the banjo to the skits after learning how to use the instrument from a Black musician. He went on to tour his shows and he brought the instrument along, making it popular. After, many other minstrel shows started to use the banjo starting its mainstream journey.
The banjo became central to the rural South thereafter. The banjo has been a staple in Bluegrass, folk, and country music which originated there. The genre has transformed over the years from the original sounds. But let us remember the roots of the banjo is in Africa with the Black Americans and Caribbeans who created it. So, the banjo has influenced the music, more specifically the country genre. Let’s not get mad when Beyonce has become the first Black person to win a Grammy for Best Country Album. The influence of Black culture within the genre is long overdue.