Galaxy

The African music scene in Finland evolved in major cities in the 1980s and 1990s, and some of the pioneering musicians who contributed to this development are still active in the field. In this article, musicologist Elina Seye explores the early years of the arrival of multiple kinds of African traditional music in Finland and discusses some of the people and groups involved.

The African music scene in Finland began to evolve in major cities in the 1980s and 1990s, and some of the pioneering musicians who contributed to its genesis are still active in the field today. Ethnomusicologist Elina Seye discusses the early days of African-style popular music in Finland, characterised principally by influences from Senegalese and Congolese dance music.

A small country must learn how to adapt, cooperate and innovate. Agility is key. Finland has a high degree of social equality, and in music this means that basically anyone can do anything. Creativity and curiosity are the wellspring of the vitality of contemporary Finnish folk music.