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Wathi wa mbebe

- Munyithya wa Kyenze, Hugh Tracey

  • Authors: Munyithya wa Kyenze , Hugh Tracey
  • Date: 1952
  • Subjects: Folk songs, Kamba , Kamba (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Machakos f-ke
  • Language: Kamba
  • Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175824 , vital:42627 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR160-01
  • Description: This lute is peculiar to the district. The stick which forms the neck of the lute is pierced right through the gourd body, protruding about 5" on the opposite side. The single string is attached to the tip of this end, passes over the membrane on the gourd and a bridge (which is also made from pieces of gourd and is attached by means of a short piece of wire to avoid losing it when the instrument is slackened off after playing) and is attached at the end to a short fork in the stick which effectively prevents slipping. It is played by means of a short bow with sisal fibre. Topical song with Mbebe string lute.
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 1952

Kamwhino wa Mwikya

- Munyithya wa Kyenze, Hugh Tracey

  • Authors: Munyithya wa Kyenze , Hugh Tracey
  • Date: 1950
  • Subjects: Folk songs, Kamba , Kamba (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Machakos f-ke
  • Language: Kamba
  • Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175851 , vital:42630 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR160-04
  • Description: The singer sings to his lost love. He reminds her that he loved her even before she grew up. He had asked her to speak to him, but she refused and used to speak to another. The singer uses his lute as a rhythmic rather than a melodic instrument. His voice appears to be pitched well above the instrument. His voice appears to be pitched well above the two basic notes of his lute, but the interval may bear some constant relationship which is not discernable to a foreign ear at first hearing. On the other hand the lute may be considered as a two note 'drone' to the melody. It will be noticed that the pitch of his lute slightly lower in this and the next song "Musenga." Love song, with Mbebe, one string, bowed lute.
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 1950

Kilamu

- Ndunge wa Kalele with Kamba women, Hugh Tracey

Kyaa

- Mutabi with Kamba men, Hugh Tracey

  • Authors: Mutabi with Kamba men , Hugh Tracey
  • Date: 1950
  • Subjects: Folk songs, Kamba , Kamba (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Machakos f-ke
  • Language: Kamba
  • Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175898 , vital:42637 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR160-08
  • Description: Since recording these two items in 1950, I have been told that these stamping tubes almost if not all together absolete and no longer to be found in Kamba country. The Kyaa is a traditional instrument among the Kamba. It consists of a hollowed tube of euphorbia wood about 3-4 feet long, slightly bulging, with a hide cap on the lower end. A wire is attached to this membrane and passed up the length of the tube and is fixed at the top. If properly tuned it would help the column of air to vibrate when the tube is struck vertically on the ground. A handle is provided at the top of the tube by which the player grips the Kyaa and beats it on the ground. A circlet of metal rattles is also attached to the tube. Love song with Kyaa stamping tubes and Iamba Malebe tin rattles.
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 1950

Kyaa

- Mutabi with Kamba men, Hugh Tracey

  • Authors: Mutabi with Kamba men , Hugh Tracey
  • Date: 1950
  • Subjects: Folk songs, Kamba , Kamba (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Machakos f-ke
  • Language: Kamba
  • Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175903 , vital:42638 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR160-08
  • Description: Since recording these two items in 1950, I have been told that these stamping tubes almost if not all together absolete and no longer to be found in Kamba country. The Kyaa is a traditional instrument among the Kamba. It consists of a hollowed tube of euphorbia wood about 3-4 feet long, slightly bulging, with a hide cap on the lower end. A wire is attached to this membrane and passed up the length of the tube and is fixed at the top. If properly tuned it would help the column of air to vibrate when the tube is struck vertically on the ground. A handle is provided at the top of the tube by which the player grips the Kyaa and beats it on the ground. A circlet of metal rattles is also attached to the tube. Love song with Kyaa stamping tubes and Iamba Malebe tin rattles.
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 1950

Meri I

- Ndulu wa Ngolanie with Kamba boys and girls, Hugh Tracey

  • Authors: Ndulu wa Ngolanie with Kamba boys and girls , Hugh Tracey
  • Date: 1950
  • Subjects: Folk songs, Kamba , Kamba (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Machakos f-ke
  • Language: Kamba
  • Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176196 , vital:42671 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR161-03
  • Description: A young man leads his troupe of girl and boy dancers who all blow whistles. The dance largely consists of the shaking of shoulders and advancing towards ones partner, bending forward and placing the cheeks together while continuing to shake the shoulders. The dance is a fine spectacle but poor music. The second part of the dance is done with whistles only and without the drum. The Kamba, in common with a few other Bantu tribes appear to be able to tolerate deafining noises in their dance music such as this shrill cacophony of whistles played into each others ears. Mbeni and Kibebe dance song for boys and girls, with Kithembe conical drum, one bunch of Malepe hand bells.
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 1950

Meri II

- Ndulu wa Ngolanie with Kamba boys and girls, Hugh Tracey

  • Authors: Ndulu wa Ngolanie with Kamba boys and girls , Hugh Tracey
  • Date: 1950
  • Subjects: Folk songs, Kamba , Kamba (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Machakos f-ke
  • Language: Kamba
  • Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176205 , vital:42672 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR161-04
  • Description: A young man leads his troupe of girl and boy dancers who all blow whistles. The dance largely consists of the shaking of shoulders and advancing towards ones partner, bending forward and placing the cheeks together while continuing to shake the shoulders. The dance is a fine spectacle but poor music. The second part of the dance is done with whistles only and without the drum. The Kamba, in common with a few other Bantu tribes appear to be able to tolerate deafining noises in their dance music such as this shrill cacophony of whistles played into each others ears. Mbeni and Kibebe dance song for boys and girls, with Kithembe conical drum, one bunch of Malepe hand bells.
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 1950

Mulima hale

- Salome Nolega with Luya girls, Hugh Tracey

Musenga

- Munyithya wa Kyenze, Hugh Tracey

  • Authors: Munyithya wa Kyenze , Hugh Tracey
  • Date: 1950
  • Subjects: Folk songs, Kamba , Kamba (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Machakos f-ke
  • Language: Kamba
  • Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:42633 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR160-06
  • Description: "I will praise you until your heart is broken like a bone. Keep your promise and come with me. When I sing your praise do not wrinkle your face like that." He strains the sisal bow by means of thumb pressure. Note how apprently out of tune he is with his instrument, which he appears to use as rhythmic ground only. Love song with Mbebe 1 sring, bowed lute.
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 1950

Muvingi

- Ndisa Keilo with Kamba boys and girls, Hugh Tracey

Muyola Mbwelwe

- Mutabi with Kamba men, Hugh Tracey

  • Authors: Mutabi with Kamba men , Hugh Tracey
  • Date: 1950
  • Subjects: Folk songs, Kamba , Kamba (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Machakos f-ke
  • Language: Kamba
  • Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175908 , vital:42640 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR160-09
  • Description: "Muyola Mbwelwe is a beautiful girl, and what is more she wears a lovely snuff box." Since recording these two items in 1950, I have been told that these stamping tubes almost if not all together absolete and no longer to be found in Kamba country. The Kyaa is a traditional instrument among the Kamba. It consists of a hollowed tube of euphorbia wood about 3-4 feet long, slightly bulging, with a hide cap on the lower end. A wire is attached to this membrane and passed up the length of the tube and is fixed at the top. If properly tuned it would help the column of air to vibrate when the tube is struck vertically on the ground. A handle is provided at the top of the tube by which the player grips the Kyaa and beats it on the ground. A circlet of metal rattles is also attached to the tube. Love song with Kyaa stamping tubes and Iamba Malebe tin rattles.
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 1950

Mwali wa Kwita Mwiitu

- Mbewa Kieti, Hugh Tracey

Mwali wa Mbengi

- Kyule wa Kala, Hugh Tracey

  • Authors: Kyule wa Kala , Hugh Tracey
  • Date: 1950
  • Subjects: Folk songs, Kamba , Kamba (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Machakos f-ke
  • Language: Kamba
  • Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175947 , vital:42644 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR160-10
  • Description: This chanting is the local traditional method of handing on legends. In this example the performer praises the beauty of certain people and particularly of a girl called Mbengi who is quite the most lovely creature on earth. "While I sing of her I wish no one else to utter a sound. I can recite so well that my words alone might make a girl conceive or make a poor man rich." Chanted prose legend.
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 1950

Mwali wa Ngwi

- Kanyense Muange, Hugh Tracey

  • Authors: Kanyense Muange , Hugh Tracey
  • Date: 1950
  • Subjects: Folk songs, Kamba , Kamba (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Machakos f-ke
  • Language: Kamba
  • Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175977 , vital:42646 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR160-12
  • Description: Mwali is the name for the traditional way of retailing or chanting a legend, and Mwathi is a song. The singer boasts that he alone is the best singer of the district and greets his clever friends who make decorations for the dancers. In his second item he describes also the rifles he carried as a soilder. Praise chant.
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 1950

Mwali wa Wakwa

- Kyule wa Kala, Hugh Tracey

  • Authors: Kyule wa Kala , Hugh Tracey
  • Date: 1950
  • Subjects: Folk songs, Kamba , Kamba (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Machakos f-ke
  • Language: Kamba
  • Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175960 , vital:42645 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR160-11
  • Description: This chanting is the local traditional method of handing on legends. In this example the performer praises the beauty of certain people and particularly of a girl called Mbengi who is quite the most lovely creature on earth. Kyule sings about his friend whose friendship he says is as close as a cow with her tail. "Kimatu, my friend, if my song was meat you would receive the best joints while others would have to be content with the skin only." Chanted prose legend.
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 1950

Ngune nduli wangola ekuka

- Ndulu with Kamba boys and girls, Hugh Tracey

Niila nkwoma tene

- Munyithya wa Kyenze, Hugh Tracey

  • Authors: Munyithya wa Kyenze , Hugh Tracey
  • Date: 1950
  • Subjects: Folk songs, Kamba , Kamba (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Machakos f-ke
  • Language: Kamba
  • Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175833 , vital:42628 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR160-02
  • Description: ""It is long since I last sang your praises. It is long since I last saw you, my dear." The singer uses his lute as a rhythmic rather than a melodic instrument. His voice appears to be pitched well above the instrument. His voice appears to be pitched well above the two basic notes of his lute, but the interval may bear some constant relationship which is not discernable to a foreign ear at first hearing. On the other hand the lute may be considered as a two note 'drone' to the melody. It will be noticed that the pitch of his lute slightly lower in this and the next song "Musenga." Love song, with Mbebe, one string, bowed lute.
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 1950

Nthambi wa Mutwana

- Muili wa Kwinga with Kamba women, Hugh Tracey

Nthambi wa Mwene

- Muili wa Kwinga with Kamba women, Hugh Tracey

Nzaa ndume ta Gomba

- Munyithya wa Kyenze, Hugh Tracey

  • Authors: Munyithya wa Kyenze , Hugh Tracey
  • Date: 1950
  • Subjects: Folk songs, Kamba , Kamba (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Machakos f-ke
  • Language: Kamba
  • Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175842 , vital:42629 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR160-03
  • Description: "I truly love you. You have pale hands like a European." The singer uses his lute as a rhythmic rather than a melodic instrument. His voice appears to be pitched well above the instrument. His voice appears to be pitched well above the two basic notes of his lute, but the interval may bear some constant relationship which is not discernable to a foreign ear at first hearing. On the other hand the lute may be considered as a two note 'drone' to the melody. It will be noticed that the pitch of his lute slightly lower in this and the next song "Musenga." Love song, with Mbebe, one string, bowed lute.
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 1950
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