Emasire
- Authors: Berroit Kukwabo , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Songs, Swahili , Bira (African people) , Swahili-speaking peoples , Pygmies , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Bunia f-cg
- Language: Bira
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168482 , vital:41588 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0126-15
- Description: "How now! Seri struck me, so I am going away." Topical song with Sanzo Apido Likembe (Mbira), 12 notes (treble).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Letsema la a phota (The group is threshing corn)
- Authors: Boys and girls from Mabe's Community school , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Rustenburg f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Kgatla
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166324 , vital:41351 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0117-12
- Description: "Rasentsetsa's hair is so thick he looks like a bird. We are threshing corn. This is Rasentsetsa's band of threshers. But we do not see him here. We always work our hardest when the men are here. Threshing song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
A speech
- Authors: Chief Bianoko , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Songs, Swahili , Bira (African people) , Swahili-speaking peoples , Pygmies , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Gombe f-cg
- Language: Bira
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168413 , vital:41579 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0126-08
- Description: The chief made this speech to all the assembled dancers, musicians and people who replied with enthusiasm in the traditional manner. Responses with ivory horn.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Nanga mondithawe (Wherever you go)
- Authors: Four Tumbuka women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Arts, Malawi , Songs, Tumbuka , Songs, Tonga (Nyasa) , Tumbuka (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Zomba, Mzimba District f-rh
- Language: Tonga
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156257 , vital:39968 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR090-06
- Description: "Whithersoever thou goes I shall go." To Salisbury to Nairobi I shall go with you." Taken from the words of Ruth in the Bible and put into the local setting. It was sung by the wives of the local police recruits who indeed may have to follow their husband, if not to Salisbury and Nairobi at least to anywhere in Nyasaland. A sentimental song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Wammuna munabwela kale (Husband, you came long ago)
- Authors: Gezani Mwale , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Nyanja , Songs, Chewa , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Bimphi, Dowa, Central Nyasaland f-mw
- Language: Nyanja, Chewa, Chichewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/154028 , vital:39555 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR079-08
- Description: "My husband, you came long ago. This year give me a child. Father, I want a child. But a red cloth you give to your mother another to your father. The spotted one you give to me." During the rainy season children are forbidden by their mothers to wear red cloth for fear the lightening might strike them. Red cloth, therefore has a bad connotation, which may be reflrcted in this song. A cloth with patterns, flowers or spots is admired and may therefore be lucky. The preoccupation of African people for offspring is clearly seen in this lyric. Self delectative song with Sansi (Mbira).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Wangwa walila (The baby is crying)
- Authors: Group of 12 Lozi men and women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Lozi (African people) , Music--Zambia , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Zambia Mangu f-za
- Language: Lozi
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/139823 , vital:37789 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR051-11
- Description: "The baby is crying. What can I do? I have not enough food to feed my baby."Manyanya dance with 2 friction sticks
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1957
Klusi Malorato tlaa o bone (Chief Lencoe's horses)
- Authors: Group of small children, boys and girls , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Witkleigat f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Hurutshe
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166305 , vital:41349 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0117-10
- Description: "Sister Malorato, come and see how the chief's horses triple. They triple and gaze fetlocks." The children were from 4 to 3 years old. Party song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
O, ama Jalimani (Oh, the Germans)
- Authors: Group of young Mpondo men and women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Folk music--South Africa , Folk songs, Xhosa , Africa South Africa Lusikisiki f-sa
- Language: Xhosa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/136731 , vital:37412 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR033-09
- Description: Most of the women were married, wearing the beaded, tubular headring of the Mpondo married women. One young girl wore a mass of bead choker necklaces in the favourite Mpondo colours, sky-blue and white. The married women wore their hair in a mass of long fine twists or plaits, and wore a number of bead necklaces. Party song for young people with clapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1957
Chipungu
- Authors: Jespar Lungu and is wife , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Nsenga (African people) , Ngoni (African people) , Folk songs, Tonga (Zambezi) , Tonga (Zambezi people) , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Zambia Petauke f-za
- Language: Nsenga
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184437 , vital:44222 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR185-05
- Description: The man is singing, partly in Falsetto, a duet with his wife. "Chipungu, Chipungu, show me where the meat is." The Chipungu is the Bateleur eagle which features in many songs in this part of Africa. It is sometimes said to be a sign of good luck, and, sometimes, if flies across your path at the beginning of a journey that you should turn back and start again tomorrow. Self delectative song with Kalimba, eleven notes, fan and external resonator
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1957
Koras (Chorus)
- Authors: Johnnie Murithe Wambu and Kibunga Waita , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk songs, Kikuyu , Kikuyu (African people) , Songs, Kikuyu--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Embu f-ke
- Language: Kikuyu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175641 , vital:42602 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR159-18
- Description: The 'struck iron' was an old starter ring from the fly wheel of a car. It is necessary to have a circular or 'S' shaped piece of metal for convnient playing of the double beat. The performer called it 'Kengere' or 'Beru' bell. The sweepers in Nairobi, they say, always come from Embu. Kibunga Waita, the iron player, was no exception. Eleswhere in Africa certain tribes tend to adopt one occupation exclusively. After hearing a few Kikuyu songs to the accompaniment of the iron and accordion, the listener who is not case hardened to the pulse may experience a singing in the ears for several hours afterwards. Listening to this kind of Kikuyu song is more a feat of endurance than an aesthetic pleasure. Mamboko dance song with accordian and struck iron (-12.161-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Ndirathire
- Authors: Kariuki Ndenderu and Kikuyu boys , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk songs, Kikuyu , Kikuyu (African people) , Songs, Kikuyu--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Kiambu f-ke
- Language: Kikuyu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175461 , vital:42582 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR159-01
- Description: "I went north where I found Njeri weeping because her love had left her." Story song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Kekema-kekema (Do not be afraid)
- Authors: Kusu women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Kusu (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Manyema f-cg
- Language: Kusu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168840 , vital:41652 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0128-01
- Description: The Kusu are Mohammedans having accepted the domination of the Arab traders on the Luapula River in the 19th century. The simple repetitive songs demonstrating the almost mechanical simplicity of a dance rhythm. They were recorded by Kusu people about 450 miles north of their home district near the Lualaba river about 3 degrees South of the equator. They were working at the elephant training centre at Andudu on the edge of the great Ituri forest. Both items copied from discs. Dance song with one wooden slit drum, one small conical drum, and one bass conical laced drum.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Hoe hoe
- Authors: Mwana Bibi with Swahili women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Music--Kenya , Songs, Swahili--Kenya , Songs, Swahili--Tanzania , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Malindi f-ke
- Language: Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180048 , vital:43300 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR171-18
- Description: This is an amusing farewell song with typical cries from the gay veiled ladies of the Arab households of Malindi. Farewell song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Gumbo nangbolanda seyadi
- Authors: Ngbanda Mandefu and Kumbazingi Louis , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Buta f-cg
- Language: Zande
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167026 , vital:41431 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0121-17
- Description: These words are taken from a local popular song. This is a cheerful little tune with typical Zande lilt. The people sitting nearyby began to sing to the second tune which is a well known piece in that village. The tuning of the Isanzo was pentatonic, the scale being 624, 536, 448, 392, 328, 292, 268, 224, 196, 164 vs. The player said he was not able to sing and play at the same time. Tune played on Isanzo likembe (Mbira) of 10 notes.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Magayo gonalemaga
- Authors: Nyakela with Gogo man and women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Gogo (African people) , Songs, Gogo , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Mvumi f-tz
- Language: Gogo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174175 , vital:42449 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR154-09
- Description: "We have taken great pains to come here and sing. Look here my lad, you must do as you are told." The shaking of their heads violently from side to side induces giddiness or an entranced state. Friends come to their assistance when they fall on the ground and force their heads between their knees to regain the circulation. The Malimba were large trough shaped zithers, 3' 10" long supported at either end by two large gourds upon which they were held. Owing to the lowness of the notes they produced, the sound of the drums drowned them. But the three players shook their long strings of red ochred hair in most ecstatic style as they played and sang. The Zithers were tuned as follows:-103, 90, 84, 76, 63 vs. Both 76 and 63 vs had two strings each. The strings are plucked about 4 inches from one end. The spectators crowd around the small group of zither players and drummers, who sitting on the ground or standing holding their hour glass drums between their knees, jump and shake their long locks as if they were possessed. They say several hours of this performance frequently gives the performers a kind of involuntary hysteria which takes time to calm. The drums appear to be played out of tune with the rest of the performance. Topical song with 2 hour glass drums (-14.31201-), 3 Malimba trough zithers (-10.3515-), Ndwala bells (-12.55-), flat tin rattles(-12.54-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Bamangolosa bachusuwano
- Authors: Performer not specified , Edward Kalunga (Composer) , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Lala (African people) , Africa South Africa Serenje f-za
- Language: Lala
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/133687 , vital:37004 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR014-03
- Description: Self-delectative song with Kankowele mbira fan-shaped, with external resonator and mirliton
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1957
Nyamhoni oweha (Name of a woman)
- Authors: Petros Samalaboma , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Nyanja , Songs, Chewa , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Mzuzu, Northern Nyasaland f-mw
- Language: Nyanja, Chewa, Chichewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/154017 , vital:39554 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR079-07
- Description: The meaning of the song is not clear. The singer claims that some of the words of the song were in Tumbuka/Henga. The Kubu bow is a simple tall bow (56 inches) held vertically and strained near the lower end, the main segment of the string being 40 inches long. It has a gourd resonator. The player struck the long segment only, stopping it with the point of his first finger and with his thumb. Self delectative song with musical bow.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Alhamdulilla
- Authors: Salim Zeydan with Arab men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Music--Kenya , Songs, Swahili--Kenya , Songs, Swahili--Tanzania , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Malindi f-ke
- Language: Arabic
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180012 , vital:43292 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR171-14
- Description: A song which is sung when the bridegroom is having his head and beard shaved. "We have shaved him by force. Let us rejoice together." Wedding song, with 1 Hayir bass drum, 1 Maras bass drum, played with hands, 2 Tasa bowl drums, laced, played with sticks and clapping (-12.02-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Sumpalumi
- Authors: Sanyenke Gethula with Sukuma men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Nyamwezi (African people) , Sukuma (African people) , Folk songs, Sukuma , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Kisesa f-tz
- Language: Nyamwezi
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/173410 , vital:42367 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR150-15
- Description: "Waya, waya, Shitende is up on the hill. Birds are flying below him. Shitende, waya, waya." Their neighbours still raid them for their cattle and have to be fought off. Why the lion should have spots like a leopard is not clear, except that a young lion retains for a while the spotted marks with which it is born. Fighting song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Tsemeli e Telele (The Butcher bird)
- Authors: Small boys of Koali , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Koali f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/160973 , vital:40575 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0101-02
- Description: Mouse hunting song
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959