How did African musical instruments influence Native American music in the Americas?

Following the arrival of European colonists in the Western Hemisphere, the forced migration of Africans led to significant cultural exchange between African and Native American populations. As these groups interacted, Africans introduced new drums and other musical instruments to indigenous peoples across a wide geographic range, extending from the southeastern United States to Suriname.1

This interaction was part of a broader, complex process of musical exchange during the colonial period. While the influence of European music—often introduced through missionary work—was pervasive in shaping the instrumentation and harmonic systems of many indigenous groups, the contributions of African-descended communities were also vital. The resilience of these musical traditions, often intertwined with religious practices, allowed them to persist despite the oppressive conditions of colonization and slavery. These exchanges illustrate the dynamic and adaptive nature of Native American musical traditions as they incorporated diverse cultural elements over time.123