Tony

Dan'l responds -

Tony -

How can you possibly buttociate me with racists without finding even one -- NOT EVEN ONE -- phrase or hint of mine that denies an African contribution. Please apologize.

How hard is it that you can't distinguish the point of my posts? You seem smart enough. My point is that, of course, the African tradition and memory is what lead to the 3 and four string gourd "banjar" (Merrywhang, banza) in the new world.

You may want to review Ulf's two latest posts on the topic - "the Akonting is not a banjo"

The instrument we recognize today as a banjo was invented in this country based a bit on the gourd banjo idea, but as much on Yankee ingenuity and completely new ideas that had nothing to do with Africa. The additional heavy string added, the hoop construction, the flat fretboard, then wire frets and adjustable-screw tension hoop -- and the name itself "Banjo." After all, there were never any banjos in Africa.

It is you and a few of the dinosaurs (in alt.banjo terms) that "find it completely unacceptable" that the banjo is, according to all research available, as much a creation of Yankee ingenuity as it is derived from Africa. I never said blacks in the new world weren't part of that. As Ulf points out, it's as likely some blacks, and there were many free blacks North and South, made up a grain-measure hoop banjo before Joe Sweeney and other early Minstrels.

Again, if you can, please apologize for your false accusation.

- Dan'l