A special music school in Bulawayo makes beautiful wooden instruments called marimbas. These instruments look like xylophones and make sweet sounds when people play them. The school sends these marimbas to many places, such as America and South Africa.
Mr Olof Axellson runs this music school. He tells us that people almost forgot about marimbas until his school started making them in the 1960s. Long ago, people made marimbas from bamboo and large fruits called calabashes. These old marimbas broke easily and didn't sound very clear.
The school works hard to keep African music alive. They make better marimbas that sound clear and strong. These new marimbas can travel anywhere without breaking. The best part is that they still make the same lovely African sounds as the old ones did.
Mr Axellson wants to save African instruments from becoming things that just sit in museums. His school remains the only place that makes these special marimbas. He believes African instruments should stay alive just like other instruments from around the world. Thanks to his school, people remember marimbas and can enjoy their beautiful music once more.
Mr Olof Axellson runs this music school. He tells us that people almost forgot about marimbas until his school started making them in the 1960s. Long ago, people made marimbas from bamboo and large fruits called calabashes. These old marimbas broke easily and didn't sound very clear.
The school works hard to keep African music alive. They make better marimbas that sound clear and strong. These new marimbas can travel anywhere without breaking. The best part is that they still make the same lovely African sounds as the old ones did.
Mr Axellson wants to save African instruments from becoming things that just sit in museums. His school remains the only place that makes these special marimbas. He believes African instruments should stay alive just like other instruments from around the world. Thanks to his school, people remember marimbas and can enjoy their beautiful music once more.
