It is not possible for cultures to develop in isolation. Each culture is actually an amalgamation of many cultures that preceded it. Sometimes the roots of certain traits are easy to identify; other times, you have to strip away the culture to find them. Regardless, all cultures develop from something else. This can be especially true in the case of music. Many of the dominant traits found in North American and Latin American music actually date back many generations and to the African slaves brought to these countries. Bruno Nettl and Gerard Behague discussed the significant influence of African music in their essay "African-American Folk Music in North America and Latin America." They stated: “One of the truly important developments in the history of word music was initiated by the forced migration of large numbers of Africans, as slaves, to various parts of the Americas” (229). Many people believe that North American music exhibits the most African traits outside of Africa; however, it is in Latin America where Africa's cultural impact is most widespread and well-defined. When Africans were brought to North America and Latin America in the 18th and 19th centuries, they brought their music with them. At this time, slave owners and colonial authorities were largely opposed to allowing slaves to participate in singing and dancing. Many considered it to be “pagan” music akin to religious blasphemy. Their efforts, however, have not deterred Africans from protecting their music and clinging to their heritage. For the most part, their inheritance was all that slaves were expected to keep. Their existence was often as unbearable as their future was bleak. Singing and dancing were their only way to express themselves and maintain a semblance of culture...... middle of paper......it wouldn't be the same without its African influence.Works CitéBaraka, Amiri . “Afro-Christian Music and Religion.” Blues people. New York: Morrow Quill, 1963. Print.Centeno, Jean Carlos. African influence in Latin music. 2013. Internet. April 11, 2014.Fure, Rogelio Martinez. “Tambor.” Essays on Cuban music. University Press of America, 1991.Print.Nettl, Bruno and Gerard Behague. “African American Folk Music in North America and Latin America.” Folk and traditional music from Western continents. New York: Prentice Hall, 1989.Print.Sanabria, Bobby. The West African roots of Latin jazz. NPR Music. February 7, 2009. the web. April 10, 2014. “The Banjo: From Africa to America and Beyond.” » McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Tennessee. January 14, 2006. The web. April 12, 2014. “History of the West African djembe.” » Afrodrumming. 2014. Internet. April 12, 2014.