Kwela

Kwela is a genre of street music originating from southern Africa. It is distinguished by its prominent use of the pennywhistle, jazz-inspired elements, and a distinctive skiffle-like rhythm. It evolved from the marabi sound. Kwela brought South African music to international prominence in the 1950s.

Although Kwela has its roots in southern Africa, its later adaptations and many other African folk idioms have permeated Western music (listen to the albums A Swingin' Safari by the Bert Kaempfert Orchestra (1962) and Graceland by Paul Simon (1986)), giving modern South African music, particularly jazz, much of its distinctive sound and lilting swagger. The Piranhas' 1980 UK Top Ten hit 'Tom Hark' was based on an earlier 1950s Kwela hit song.

One reason for the use of the pennywhistle is its affordability and portability. It is also valued for its versatility, functioning effectively as both a solo and ensemble instrument. The popularity of the pennywhistle may be because flutes of different kinds have long been traditional instruments among the peoples of the more northerly parts of South Africa. Thus, the pennywhistle allowed a swift adaptation of folk tunes into the new marabi-influenced music.