The banjo in America as a case study

Music often tells complicated stories about who we are and who we want to be. Musical instruments themselves can carry powerful meanings—histories of people, places, suffering, celebration, and survival. The banjo is an especially dramatic case study for understanding the intersections of race, identity, nationalism, and cultural memory.

Though many people associate the banjo today with white American culture (especially within genres like bluegrass, folk, or country music), its origins in the enslaved African populations in the Caribbean and are deeply connected to memories of the African continent. This history, however, was deliberately obscured through racist minstrel shows and efforts to “elevate” the instrument away from its Black roots for white audiences. As you’ll see, the banjo’s true history raises challenging questions about authenticity, cultural ownership, and memory.

In this module, you’ll use the history of the banjo to examine how music can embody deeply charged questions of race and identity. The readings and listening provide important historical context for how we think about what American music is—and whose stories it tells.

Required reading and listening

Our primary material comes from musician and scholar Rhiannon Giddens. In her keynote speech at a past bluegrass conference, she argues passionately about reclaiming the banjo’s African American roots, reminding us that music—and musical instruments—are never neutral. As you read, reflect on:

• How was the banjo’s African heritage intentionally erased, and why was it replaced with different meanings?
• How do instruments become symbols for racial or national identity?
• What is at stake when histories like these are remembered—or forgotten?

Rhiannon Giddens’ Keynote Address at IBMA Conference: “Community and Connection”

In this podcast, Afropop Worldwide explores the banjo’s journey from Africa to America, highlighting multiple musical examples and perspectives. Listen closely, considering how music itself helps preserve or reshape historical memory. It has a similar story, but with further context and the opportunity to include audio examples.

Afropop Worldwide: “The Black History of the Banjo”

Assignment: Instruments, identity, and contested meanings

Throughout this module, you’ve explored the banjo’s complex history and how musical instruments can carry contested meanings related to race, identity, nationalism, authenticity, and memory. For this assignment, you’ll apply these ideas to an instrument or musical tradition of your choosing.

Directions

Choose a musical instrument or a specific musical tradition. Some good examples are the guitar, Hawaiian ukulele, Celtic harp, hip-hop turntables, Shona mbira, Central American marimba, and Mande balafon. Research this (cite your sources) and reflect on how the instrument or tradition is connected to ideas of race, cultural identity, authenticity, nationalism, or memory. Write a 300-word reflection addressing some or all of the following prompts:

• What cultural identities or histories are embedded within this instrument or tradition? Is it connected with a specific group of people, time period, minority population, or anything similar? (If not, you may want to consider a different choice to make this easier.)
• How have meanings around this instrument or tradition shifted over time? Have some identities or communities been marginalized, forgotten, or highlighted?
• Who controls the narratives about this instrument or tradition, and how do these narratives impact your own understanding or enjoyment of the music?
• Has your perception of this instrument or musical tradition changed after learning about its history or the dynamics of race, power, or memory involved?

In your response, explicitly connect your thoughts to of the module’s required materials to anchor your reflection in the module’s key concepts.

An important note

When responding to classmates, reflect thoughtfully on their chosen instruments or traditions. Do their insights resonate with your own experiences or reveal new perspectives? Engage deeply and respectfully, considering how your understanding of musical meanings expands through shared conversation.

Be sure to clearly reference module readings and materials to demonstrate thoughtful engagement. Review the discussion grading rubric for details, and reach out with questions if you need clarification!