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Africa: A Journey into Music

Documentaries

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Documentary series exploring the musical traditions of African countries.

Documentary series exploring the musical traditions of African countries and their influence on popular music.

Africa: A Journey into Music - South Africa

Rita Ray

Ruhi Hamid

Sam Anthony

Alex Emanuel

Simon Battersby

Rosie Holledge

Sundog Pictures Ltd

Africa: A Journey into Music: Series 1: Episode 2: South Africa

South Africa

Episode 2

Episode 2: South Africa

Series 1

BBC Four - Africa: A Journey into Music, Series 1, South Africa

Rita Ray travels to South Africa, home to distinctive vocal harmonies.

Series exploring African influences in modern music. DJ and broadcaster Rita Ray visits South Africa, home to distinctive vocal harmonies which are known worldwide.

DJ and broadcaster Rita Ray travels to South Africa, home to distinctive vocal harmonies that have travelled all over the world. Visiting Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, she discovers the extraordinary songs and harmonies that have given this country a voice abroad. They have often carried messages about inequality and injustice at home, resulting in beautiful music with a real sense of purpose. 

South Africa is a diverse nation, and each tribal group has its own musical traditions. Cutting-edge artists sing in ancient languages such as Xhosa, migrant workers stave off homesickness with traditional singing and dancing in the street, whilst four-part harmonies imported from the west are heard in every church, but given an unmistakable South African twist.

Africa: A Journey into Music: Series 1

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Rita Ray travels to African countries in search of ancient musical traditions.

DJ and broadcaster Rita Ray travels to Mali, Nigeria and South Africa in search of ancient musical traditions, and explores the enduring influence of popular music from these fascinating countries.

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Africa: A Journey into Music

Series 1

Episode 2: South Africa

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