Zuwa na mwezi
- Authors: Yelele Lungu , Nsenga women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1949
- 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/10962/184464 , vital:44225 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR185-08
- Description: The sun and the moon are contrasted as lovers. The son returns to his mother if he is unsucceful in love and the mother sees in the hooting of the owls the omen of death to come. The player Yelele Lungu is one of two blind muscians in the Petauke district. Blind from birth he has developed an unusual degree of petic imagery. He had bever seen either the sun or the moon and his poetry consequently reflected a blind man's conception of natural phenomena. Unfortunately owing to technical difficulties both his recordings on this disc are poor, but his poetry warranted their inclusion. Love song, with Kalimba of 10 notes
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1949
Xhosa II (Xhosa)
- Authors: Four men and group of women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Gopane f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Hurutshe
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165665 , vital:41269 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0114-05
- Description: "Saturday is a lonely day." "If you have no one to go out with on a Saturday, you feel very lonely indeed", they explained. This version of the step dance which is performed with rubber or other padding on the ankles, is similar to the 'Isicatulo' boot dance of the Southern Zulu and Xhosa tribes. Step dance with clapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Wathi wa ota
- Authors: Mutio wa Katuma , 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/10962/175889 , vital:42635 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR160-07
- Description: This musical bow is a plain bow, loosely strung and strained by means of a half section gourd, which is situated between the bow and the wire string. The concave side is held against the bow, the convex against the string. The singer sings into this hollow gourd and beats the string with a light stick producing one note only. Other players may beat both segments of the string thus producing two fundamental notes Divination song, with musical bow, strained and resonated with half gourd.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Tsiku limodzi (One day)
- Authors: S. R. Chitalo and De Ndirande Pitch Crooners , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Arts, Malawi , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Blantyre f-rh
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa/Chichewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/155515 , vital:39890 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR086-06
- Description: A mother was beating her child for disobedience. I was just passing by when I saw this happen and asked her why she was whipping the child and she told me that was the best way of teaching a child. I learnt a lesson and from now on my children will learn in this way. The melody is believed have been copied from Johannesburg recordings. Topical song with guitar.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Tisimbi wa sauka
- Authors: Alfred Phiri , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Chewa , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Macanga f-mw
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158481 , vital:40196 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR094-02
- Description: The Bangwe Zither was resonated with a small gourd through which it was pierced. It was plucked in this item. Each string was tuned by means of a small independent wedge. The strings of the Bangwe were of wire, and about 15 inches long. The Bangwe itself being 21 and hald inches long 5 inches broad. Self delectative song with Bangwe resonated Zither.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Tangu kwata m'cembele
- Authors: Khwele Kwenda , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Songs, Tumbuka , Tumbuka (African people) , Songs, Chewa , Chewa (African people) , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Malawi Lilongwe f-mw
- Language: Tumbuka , Chewa, Chichewa, Nyanja
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186498 , vital:44505 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR191-09
- Description: The Sansi was fixed onto the Chigubu resonator by three point suspensions, 2 at the straining bar and 1 at the foot, all secured by bark string. The Njela (s. and pl.) reeds were made from the spokes of an umbrella and the player said that in times past the reeds used to be made of bamboo. "I married three girls, later I found that all three were unfaithful to me so I decided to marry one fully grown woman instead." Tuning:- 704, 584, 520, 448, 384, (352 missing), 332, 292, 260, 224, 176. This pentatonic sansi mbira is mounted in the mouth of a gourd resonator with a number of pieces of tin as buzzers, Mangwere, attached to two thirds of the periphery of the gourd. Self delectative song, with Sansi mbira
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Onyiego Obara
- Authors: Nyawaga Mgele , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Luo (Kenyan and Tanzanian people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Kasipul f-ke
- Language: Luo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178075 , vital:42905 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR167-06
- Description: "When Onyiego Obara invited me to play my lyre at his house there was a large audience. I was surprised for I had never been to town before." The lyre is played horizontally with the bowl and one arm resting on the floor. It is held in this position by the left hand over the top of the upper arm of the lyre and by the foot. Topical song with Thum 8 string lyre, legs bells (-12.55-) and Oduong toe ring (-12.151-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
O cheye
- Authors: Lengare Skarani with Chaga men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Chaga (African people) , Hehe (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Marangu f-tz
- Language: Hehe
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174550 , vital:42487 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR156-01
- Description: "The Mangi (Chief) is visiting his people. The one who has passed through your garden is the chief of this country." Praise song for Chief, with Shicheyere leg bells.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Ndinoda kuyenda mbuyawe
- Authors: Mashanje Shawa , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1949
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Shona (African people) , Folk music--Zimbabwe , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Zimbabwe , Africa Zimbabwe Zaka f-rh
- Language: Shona
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180492 , vital:43394 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR173-07
- Description: These three short tunes also demonstrate the sound of the friction bow as heard by the player. One end of the palm leaf strip is held across the open mouth and the whole is set in vibration by the rattle stick rubbing across serations in the bow. The mouth harmonies can be heard through the piercing noise of the rattle and the rubbing. Self delectative songs, with Chipendani musical bow and Chimazambi friction bow.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1949
Nautu
- Authors: Medje men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Medje f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166761 , vital:41401 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-02
- Description: The song is performed during the initiation ceremony at the moment when the initiates are ready for the officiant. The Medje tribe is one of the group of peoples associated with the Mangbetu. This group became the overlords of the area and their culture dominated the countryside. The style of singing resembles slightly that of the Luvale of the Southern Congo, although there is no connection between them. Circumcision song and dance with 4 conical drums, 1 large bell drum, 2 pod drums, 2 small slit drums, 1 double metal bell, 6 basket rattles, and 1 metal hand bell.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Nabobo
- Authors: Melany Mewarali with Meru men and women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Chaga (African people) -- Music , Meru (African people) -- Music , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Arusha f-tz
- Language: Meru
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/173946 , vital:42425 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR153-09
- Description: "Sleep well you girls, Sleep well my love." The last song at a dance party to break the spell and say 'Goodnight'. A simple melody, well suited to its purpose. In other parts of Africa similar songs are sung for the same purpose of marking the end of a party, a story telling session or a drama, equivalent to "Goodnight, ladies, we are going to leave you now." A spell breaking song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Mbiya ambwiya wo tiende (Grandmother, let us go)
- Authors: Jesi Tembo , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Folk music--Zimbabwe , Sena (African people) , Tonga (Zambezi people) , Folk music , Africa Zimbabwe Mkota, Mtoko District, Southern Rhodesia f-rh
- Language: Tonga/Sena
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179081 , vital:39872 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR085-14
- Description: A hyena's grandmother died and so he went off to suckle from a woman in order to show people that he was in reality the son of the woman. The meaning of this story is not clear, though it is among the many African stories in which people turn themselves or are turned into animals to stress a moral point. Story song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Maye moyo wangu-e
- Authors: Alume Achavo with Giryama men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Giryama (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Kafulani f-ke
- Language: Giryama
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176647 , vital:42724 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR162-14
- Description: A simple clapping song which usually accompanies the Kimungwe dance, but may also be sung after dinner as they sit around before goinf to sleep. Kimungwe dance song for men and women with clapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Lenga he
- Authors: Shaba Kasiani with Chaga men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Chaga (African people) , Hehe (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Marangu f-tz
- Language: Hehe
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174613 , vital:42494 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR156-07
- Description: "The bees look after their chief. And the chief looks after his children. Song, with Shicheyere leg bells.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Kuriye
- Authors: Mireiye Sanganga with Chaga men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Chaga (African people) , Songs, Gogo , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Marangu f-tz
- Language: Gogo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174354 , vital:42470 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR155-13
- Description: "Gather for defence." In the early days about 100-150 years ago, when the various tribes were pushing up onto the fertile slopes of the Kilimanjaro faction fighting was a daily occurance. At Marango the chief lived inside stout stone walls. Fighting song with sticks.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Hama dza warumi (The husband's relatives)
- Authors: Esteri Shumba and a group of Karanga men and women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Folk music--Zimbabwe , Karanga (African people) , Folk songs, Shona , Folk music , Africa Zimbabwe Takawarasha, Chibi District, Southern Rhodesia f-rh
- Language: Shona, Karanga
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/154586 , vital:39751 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR082-11
- Description: A certain woman was very fond of her own relatives and preferred them to those of her husband. The story describes how when her in-laws visited her she said she was feeling ill with pains in her back, legs, stomach, head, everywhere. But when her own people came to see her she prepared sadza porridge and all sorts of good things. She behaved like this because she was jealous of her husband's other wives and in this way paid him out. Story with song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Haea Helele!
- Authors: Matsietso Mosese and large group of women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Tebang f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161925 , vital:40691 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0104-13
- Description: The singer could not remember exactly what she sang as she had made up the words as she went along. Mokhibo women's knee dance with clapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Hadithi ya charahani (The story of the tailor's shop)
- Authors: Ramadhani Fataki and Saidi Salum Nana , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk music--Tanzania , Swahili-speaking peoples , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Tabora f-tz
- Language: Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179865 , vital:43242 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR170-13
- Description: How a tailor was asked to make a special coat for an important customer and what he did for him in the way of a magnificent coat with several arms and a buibui veil. The teller of the story is himself a tailor in Tabora. Humorous sketches, with a mandoline and Udi.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Dongo-Dongola (The Clay child)
- Authors: Children of Salima Government school , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Chewa , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Salima f-mw
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/160143 , vital:40392 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR096-19
- Description: "A woman who had no child went to the 'doctor' who gave her medicine to make a child out of clay. He warned her that the child should never get wet. When it had grown up it was playing outside one day when the rain came. The mother quickly climbed onto an anthill and called the child 'Dongola. Dongola'! (clay). But the child got wet in the rain and when it came to the mother and she tried to pick it up it just melted away." This story which illustrates the intense desire of every African woman to have a child of her own is found in several parts of Africa. I first heard it in Southern Rhodesia among the Karanga of the Bikita district. In other socities the same instinct is frequently sublimated with pets or adoptions. Story song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Balihaya huu, welelo yabela twishinye mbina
- Authors: Mazigwa Kaswende with Sukuma men and women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Nyamwezi (African people) , Sukuma (African people) , Folk songs, Sukuma , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Kisesa Baraza f-tz
- Language: Nyamwezi , Sukuma
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/173441 , vital:42371 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR151-02
- Description: "The world is at peace once more, let us dance." It was composed and sung after the 1939-45 war, called "The Bombing of the English and Americans." Topical song..
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950