Uyi'ndlwane' mbana
- Authors: Amabutu of the Buthelezi clan (Performers) , M. Nge'ngelele (Composer) , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1955
- Subjects: Music--South Africa , Folk music--South Africa , Folk songs, Zulu , Africa South Africa Buthelezi, Mahlabatini f-sa
- Language: Zulu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/132933 , vital:36910 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR009-12
- Description: Regimental song, unaccompanied
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1955
Agapa
- Authors: Bandani and Mayogo men and women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Bangba (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Mayogo f-cg
- Language: Mayogo/Bazo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166511 , vital:41372 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0118-11
- Description: "A man went on a journey and took the train." The railway has reached this spot far into the interior of the Congo. It is a narrow gauge (about 2' 6") line which runs from Aketi on one of the northern tributaries of the Congo eastwards to the edge of the great tropical Ituri forest, In common with many other parts of Africa local railway trains have struck the imagination and figure frequently in song. It is interesting to note the "Ai-yo-o" of the singer so often heard in guitar songs. Party song with a Kombi and 1 Gbe-Kombi Likembe.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Masi asiibi mbaya
- Authors: Bandani with Mayogo men and women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Bangba (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Mayogo f-cg
- Language: Mayogo/Bazo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166494 , vital:41370 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0118-09
- Description: "A woman stole some maize." Yogo women are said to have a large repertoire of women's songs which are sung at special parties and dances. Song for the Gbada dance with 2 Kombi Mbiras, 1 Gbe-kombi Likembe and 1 basket rattle. (-12.54-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Nga, nga, nga, nda reka (Lift and drop)
- Authors: Bauleni Zhuau , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Arts, Malawi , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Chipwembwe, Fort Herald f-rh
- Language: Nyanja/Mang'anja
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/155829 , vital:39921 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR088-03
- Description: The drum leader was not satisfied with the pitch of the drums and stopped playing to adjust the amount of wax on two of the drums and then started again while the girls continued to sing. The wax is made of caster oil beans pounded up, it sticks onto the drum heads in spite of the continual beating of sticks and hands. The addition of wax or paste lowers the note of the drum and the removal of quite a small amount of wax raises the note. Thus the drums can be tunned with reasonable accuracy. The players brought more paste on the drum heads than they needed, no doubt because a certain amount is lost in playing and then tuned by removing a certain amount on each head with a curved piece of tin shaped like a spoon. Note the stress upon the final syllable of Reka NdaReka. Likhuba dance with 9 tuned drums.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Meri wandinyenga
- Authors: Beti Kamanga , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk songs, Tonga (Nyasa) , Songs, Chewa , Chewa (African people) , Songs, Tumbuka , Tumbuka (African people) , Musical instruments , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Malawi Chinteche f-mw
- Language: Tumbuka , Chewa, Chichewa, Nyanja , Tonga (Nyasa)
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184821 , vital:44275 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR187-02
- Description: "We long for our homes. We should call ours homes 'Towns'. Mary has deceived me." The attraction of the towns is decimating the male population of Tongaland. The singer makes a plea for the claim of their village homes in the face of foreign attractions. He is blind and he hoped Mary would have married him, but she could not bring herself to do so. Nostaligic song
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Mbiriwiri
- Authors: Chabarwa Musunda Moyo , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1948
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk music--Zimbabwe , Shona (African people) , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Zimbabwe Nedgiwe f-rh
- Language: Shona
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/181511 , vital:43741 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR175-09
- Description: This famous piece of music, here played brilliantly by Chabarwa Musunda Moyo was first recorded by me in 1933 when played by a musician called Chigogo. It is a progressive story of various experiences of a wandering player who meets different people along the path to each of whom he does a service and in turn they all give him a present with which he is able to benefit his next acquaintance. For many years I have attempted to locate the player in order to re-record his music on tape instead of on disc as this one, but so far in vain. No one knows where or how he is. Traditional airs on Njari dza maNjanjae
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1948
Zamani mwaya
- Authors: Chandarwa Waya with Giryama men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Giryama (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Malindi f-ke
- Language: Giryama
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176656 , vital:42737 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR163-01
- Description: This Msego dance started with the sound of the horn, followed by the leader of the group who sings the first verse. This is repeated by the dancers whistling the melody twice over after which the dance proper begins with rattles. Msego mourning dance song with Kayamba raft rattles, a gourd horn (-11.121-) and whistling.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
John Omuoso
- Authors: Daudi Otuoma , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk music--Kenya , Luo (Kenya and Tanzanian people) , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya South Nyanza Province f-ke
- Language: Luo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178799 , vital:42987 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR168-07
- Description: John Omuoso was a very good friend of the singer. He gave him his big bed, big enough to hold four men. He also gave him a bull and for all this Daudi loves Omuoso like a brother. Omuoso, they say, has four wives, all very gentle ladies. (It is not clear what relationship there is between the four man bed and the four gentle ladies). Praise song, with Thum 8 string lyre and Gara leg bells (-12.55-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Chumba (Barren)
- Authors: Denis Yolambo , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Nyanja , Songs, Chewa , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Dowa, Nyasaland f-mw
- Language: Nyanja, Chewa, Chichewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/153806 , vital:39524 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR078-05
- Description: "You have taken a barren woman and I am very tired of her barren, barren, but today I am tired of her. My friend will have children. Mother, mother, but today mother I want a child but today, I Davis, I am protesting, I came to this land (of his in-laws) with the money of my brother, brother, brother but today! You have just come for trouble, brother, but today I make it clear to you. Topical song with guitar.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Kasimbe omugo ndigwa
- Authors: Entenga, Royal drummers , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Music--Uganda , Folk songs, Ganda , Ganda (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Uganda Kampala f-ug
- Language: Ganda
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170709 , vital:41952 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0137-13
- Description: This drum tune is taken from a song about a simple country lad who wanted to go and work for the Kabaka (the native 'King' of Uganda) as his servant and yet to remain faithful to his obligations both to his family and his ancestral ties at home. The set of royal Entenga drums are kept and played in a separate courtyard of the Lubili palace. In this recording the separate parts are brought out one after the other. Each drummer plays his allotted drums from the treble player down to the deep bass player while the others continue to strike the side of their drums with their beaters. The first four men play 3 drums each. The fifth plays one drum, and the sixth plays the two deepest toned bass drums. Drum tune. Set of 15 tuned conical drums, laced, closed, single.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Kolota ali kudwala (Kolota was sick)
- Authors: George Zongoloti and small girls , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Arts, Malawi , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Mpatsa, Port Herald f-rh
- Language: Nyanja/Mang'anja
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/155694 , vital:39906 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR087-03
- Description: The voice of the singer is strongly affected by the vibrations of the drum and its mirliton. He sings partly in Sena, partly Mang'anja. The singer, George Zongoloti is singing about his troubles. If he wants to go to Southern Rhodesia he has to come Chief Tingami for a pass. If he wants to fish, another pass. Even to make a canoe, he needs a pass. Now he is going back to Portuguese territory over the border because there you can do what you like without a single pass, just what you like! Topical song with Nthikwi drum.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Mkwaze (Can I give cattle)
- 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 Kongwa Mission, Dowa, Central Nyasaland f-mw
- Language: Nyanja, Chewa, Chichewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/153770 , vital:39520 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR078-01
- Description: "Can I give cattle to my wife as when I am dead I shall go together with her to the grave." It seems clear that the mode in which the players is singing is more complex that the pentatonic scale of the instrument. Topical song with Mbira.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Udina kuzara ndowayami
- Authors: Gibson Zenzi with Luunda men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Luba (African people) , Ruund (African people) , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Zambia Mwinilunga f-za
- Language: Lunda , Luba
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182877 , vital:43888 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR179-02
- Description: "My wife is shivering." A short phrase is quite sufficient upon which to hang the melody and rhythm for the local dance. The Luunda come to the mines of the Copperbelt in large numbers from their home in the north western districts of Northern Rhodesia. In common with many other African folk singers there is a gradual rise in pitch during this song. The empty bottles of different sizes are struck with light pieces of iron, such as 6" nails, or small bolts. Four Sikinta dance song with struck bottles
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Uwi, mamsaga makumbulage wagela mnyabo
- Authors: Idi Selemani with Nyamwezi men and women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Zinza (African people) , Rundi (African people) , Nyamwezi (African people) , Folk songs, Rundi , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Dar-es-Salaam f-tz
- Language: Nyamwezi
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/173044 , vital:42316 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR148-14
- Description: "You are talking a lot these days my friend, I am sure you will be sad when Nyahinga dies." Nyahinga, they said, is known to be very good singer in Nyamwezi country. Idi Selemani, the leader 'lines' the verses to be sung by the chorus of his friends. The soloist, Idi is a well known and much beloved comedian in his own society of Nyamwezi people living in Dar-es-Salaam and is a joy to watch. His antics and feigned anger are masterly acting. The singer starts the third song with the familiar cry of the 2nd King's African Rifles, "Seken-Seken, K.A.R. Namba wantu. Humorous song with clapping, with clapping and 1 Goblet drum (-14.52101-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Kalulu nkulu wa bwalo (The Rabbit is Chief of the Court)
- Authors: J. W. Gwengwe and boys , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Chewa , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Dedza f-mw
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/160188 , vital:40417 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR097-03
- Description: The dance is performed only at night by young men, the pricipal dancers themselves dancing naked, some with special masks called Nyau in the shape of an antelope, an elephant, and a lion, while some walk on stilts. The larger masks are usually carried by two men. Some observers have said that the dance is connected with fertility rites. Only males are permitted to participate and women can only observe from a distance. The dance, they say is usually performed on bright moonlight nights. The gist of the song appears to refer to a familiar story which is told and sung in the district. "Rabbit is the chief of the court (of animals) Hopping, hopping. The rabbit was elected to be the chief." Dance song for Nyau dance with rhythmic clapping and struck iron (-12.16-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Kabireka kundende kure ("Of what tribe are your father and mother?")
- 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/10962/168849 , vital:41653 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0128-02
- 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
Mwali wa Wakwa
- 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
Mwanamwana talikumpa omoya
- Authors: Luhanga Magezi with Haya children , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Music--Uganda , Haya (African people) , Nyoro (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania / Uganda Rurongo f-tz / f-ug
- Language: Nyoro , Haya
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171805 , vital:42127 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR143-11
- Description: The lute is made of a 4 and a half inch section of the lower part of an Ankole ox horn. These cattle have very large horns. The oval shaped membrane is python skin pegged into the horn and the bridge is reed. The string is of raffia palm. "I am worried because my love is away. Whenever I talk or eat, my heart yearns for her." Love song, with Ndingidi one string lute.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Tengani madengu (Fetch baskets)
- Authors: M. Njolomole , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Ngoni (African people) , Arts, Malawi , Folk music , Africa Malawi Njolomoe, Ncheu District, Central Nyasaland f-mw
- Language: Ngoni
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/154820 , vital:39782 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR084-02
- Description: "This is a song, he said, which was sung by the relatitives of the dead chief mourning their great loss. "Take a basket, let us go to the funeral Chief Njolomole has died, he has died Njolomole." This song was sung when the father of the present Chief died in 1929 (March 12th). The baskets, it was explained, refered to the baskets in which the property of the dead chief was carried by the mourners for burial with the chief in his grave. The younger brother of the chief led the singing and the chief himself can be heard singing a verse. The chief's uncle and councillor Robert Gokozera claimed towards the end of the item. Funeral song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Munkhwala
- Authors: Maluba Mwale , Tonga men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Songs, Tumbuka , Tumbuka (African people) , Songs, Tonga (Nyasa) , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Malawi Chiundasi f-mw
- Language: Tumbuka
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184644 , vital:44244 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR186-09
- Description: "Never marry a Ngoni man. You will have continually to look after his Mugado gourd." (cache sex). The custom appears to have come north from the Zulu where the gourd is called Munyoto. The custom appears to have largely disappeared in the south. Humorous song with Karigo one stringed lute
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950