Arap Chepsiolei II
- Authors: Akito Arap Yeko , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Mijikenda (African people) , Nandi (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Kapsabet f-ke
- Language: Nandi
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176879 , vital:42768 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR164-06
- Description: Arap Chepsiolei's chief claim to fame is that he sold his daughter, they say, and used the money to buy a hoe. One is reminded of 'Nebuchadnezzar, the king of the Jews who sold his wife for a pair of shoes. Topical song, with Kipukandet 6 string bowl lyre.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Hayo ni maradhi (Chaupela mpenzi)
- Authors: Chipukizi Rumba , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk music--Tanzania , Swahili-speaking peoples , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Mwanza f-tz
- Language: Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179613 , vital:43124 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR170-07
- Description: A typical local band from the African quarter of any Tanganyika townships of the early 1950's. Nobody plays quite in tune but that does not worry the audiences or more especially the players themselves. They pick up their melodies from each other and from gramphone records and a dozen or more variations of the same song can be found throughout the country. Swahili Rumbas with 2 Banjos, 1 Mandoline, 2 bass drums, 1 conical drum, laced, 2 kazoos, 2 whistles and a flute.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Kariaara (Slow motion)
- Authors: Shinda Kamwana , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk songs, Kikuyu , Kikuyu (African people) , Songs, Kikuyu--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Kiamuthambi f-ke
- Language: Kikuyu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175590 , vital:42597 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR159-14
- Description: The button accordian has recently (1952) made its appearance in this area and largely on account of its ease of playing and the great amount of sound emitted, it has become very popular as an accompanying instrument. Most players are content to use only the simplest chords and as few notes as possible regardless of the melody of the song which the instrument accompanies rhythmically. For the recording the man with his piece of iron and box had to be placed a considerable distance from the microphone. Mamboko dance with accordian and struck iron (-12.16-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Mawaidha
- Authors: Kaluta Amir Bin Abedi , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk music--Tanzania , Swahili-speaking peoples , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Kigoma f-tz
- Language: Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179415 , vital:43061 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR169-05
- Description: "With the name of the Lord I should begin. And with his name I should finish. That I may compose them evenly with good things exultingly." Much of the Mashairi poetry, they say, is religious in nature. The African authors demonstrate the extent to which Arab culture has penetrated along the old trade routes. The speaker was fluent in Arabic and his Swahili appears to be more 'classical' than usual. Mashairi sung poems
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Mkhema ye (My love)
- Authors: Tatu Binti Juma with "Ngoma ya udi." , 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 Ngambo f-tz
- Language: Nyamwezi
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172878 , vital:42291 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR147-20
- Description: This song shows an adaptation of Nyamwezi African words to an Arab foreign tune. The distortions of Bantu speech tones appear to be less pronounced than in similar adaptations of local words to European tunes. The Nyamwezi peoples were for centuries closely associated with Arab traders and were the carriers of their trade goods into the interior from Bagamoyo on the coast to the lake at Ujiji. They also acted as carriers for most of the famous East African explorers including Livingstone and Stanely. Love song, with one Udi, Arab guitar, one Mandoline and one Tambourine drum (-14.91-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Nane yalakanite ifigolofu nda ng’ombe
- Authors: Pancras Mkwawa and son , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Chaga (African people) , Hehe (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Iringa f-tz
- Language: Hehe
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174807 , vital:42511 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR156-08
- Description: The instrument was re-tuned for this song at a slightly higher pitch than for some of his other songs. The singer is a member of the ruling house being an uncle of the present (1950) paramount chief of the Hehe tribe - Adam Sapi Mkwawa. The Ligombo is a long thin trough zither, 40 inches long with a large resonating gourd at the playing end which is cleverly attached to the body of the zither by means of a looped string over the trough and passed down through the base of the gourd. At that end of the loop there is a short stick which twists up the loop until it is taut. A skin washer with the hair side towards the gourd acts as a spring washer and prevents unwinding. Heroic song with Ligombo 6 string trough zither and rhythmic tapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Ngula kidunda
- Authors: Pancras Mkwawa and Anselm P. Mkwawa , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Chaga (African people) , Hehe (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Iringa f-tz
- Language: Hehe
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174834 , vital:42514 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR156-09
- Description: "People should not visit their friends without cause as Mgelimembe does." It appears this man Mgelimembe was always turning up at his friend's houses when it would have been better had he stayed away. This is only part of the musical ruminations of the song. The players eighteen year old son sits beside his father and provides the rhythmic tapping with his fingernails on the zithers large gourd resonator. Topical song, with Ligombo 6 string trough zither and rhythmic tapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Obange oulo
- Authors: Anton Mito and Luo men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Luo (Kenyan and Tanzanian people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Bondo f-ke
- Language: Luo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178124 , vital:42911 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR167-11
- Description: Obange, son of Oulo, is a close firend of the musician. He has helped him on many an occasion and is an important person in the community, a member of the local council. "Here's a tribute Obange." Praise song for a friend with accordion, sound box (-12.16-) and iron (-12.151-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Sengere Part II
- Authors: Pancras Mkwawa , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Chaga (African people) , Hehe (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Iringa f-tz
- Language: Hehe
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174894 , vital:42519 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR156-12
- Description: The singer is well known for his ability to sing these old songs which he does with considerable skill. He is the younger brother of the deposed chief, and uncle to the present paramount chief Adam Sapi. He sings partly in Hehe and partly Sanga (50/8/3) in which language they say, old poems are often sung. The sharp rhythmic beatings were made by the player striking the gourd resonator with the back of a finger. Heroic song with Ligombo 6 string trough zither.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Mai wa Aruna (Mother of Aruna)
- Authors: James Gwezhe Soko , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1951
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Shona (African people) , Folk music--Zimbabwe , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Zimbabwe , Africa Zimbabwe Goromonze f-rh
- Language: Shona
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180610 , vital:43592 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR170-03
- Description: A traditional song, sung after a party. No one knows who the mother of Aruna might have been. The song has been sung for over 30 years to my certain knowledge and is likely to be much older. Traditional song with "Mbira Huru".
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1951
Basaula likenja
- Authors: Saidi Kikongo and Wagenya fishermen , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Genya (African people) , Nande (Congolese (Democratic Republic) and Ugandan people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Stanleyville f-cg
- Language: Nande
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168570 , vital:41626 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0127-02
- Description: When this item was recorded it was within sound of the noise of the rapids at Stanley falls. The singers sing in parallel or organum, not unlike the songs of the Bemba people of Northern Rhodesia. Paddling song with large slit drum.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Mama Yangu
- Authors: Mudumbu , 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/10962/168434 , vital:41581 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0126-10
- Description: A song about his mother, his country and people. Swahili words are interspersed with the Buudu as Swahili has rapidly become the 'lingua franca' for this part of the Congo having been first introduced by the Arabs and now officially in schools, business and administration. Topical song with Likembe (Mbira).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Munya, gwerira munyale
- Authors: Evaristo N. Muyinda and Yakobo Ssewakirya , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Music--Uganda , Folk songs, Ganda , Ganda (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Uganda Ssaza Kyagwe f-ug
- Language: Ganda
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171063 , vital:42015 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0139-08
- Description: This is a song about a Gekko lizard. The lizard, he says, is a harmless animal, it does not eat food like other animals. All it eats is soot, nor does it despise anybody, so why kill it. If one of these Gekko lizards is killed seven others would take the case to the chief and they will win their case. So do not kill the gekko lizard. The two lyres were tuned an ocatve apart and were said to be exactly in tune with lyre played by Bulasiyo. viz:- 286, 336, 194, 168, 144, 194, 248 vs. Topical song, with 2 Endongo lyres (-10.625 x 8-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Munya, gwerira munyale
- Authors: Evaristo N. Muyinda and Yakobo Ssewakirya , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Music--Uganda , Folk songs, Ganda , Ganda (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Uganda Ssaza Kyagwe f-ug
- Language: Ganda
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171058 , vital:42014 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0139-08
- Description: This is a song about a Gekko lizard. The lizard, he says, is a harmless animal, it does not eat food like other animals. All it eats is soot, nor does it despise anybody, so why kill it. If one of these Gekko lizards is killed seven others would take the case to the chief and they will win their case. So do not kill the gekko lizard. The two lyres were tuned an ocatve apart and were said to be exactly in tune with lyre played by Bulasiyo. viz:- 286, 336, 194, 168, 144, 194, 248 vs. Topical song, with Nango horizontal 8 string harp.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Nanyini kayu bwali da
- Authors: Ludovico Mugerwa and Ganda women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- 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/10962/171094 , vital:42018 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0139-11
- Description: "When the owner of the house comes, where will you run?" Meaning when you come to be married how will you account for yourself. Kasumba, when he finds the young woman of his own village standing about the street corners of Kampala, is about to arresr them and send them back home. Kasumba himself was present at the recording. He was a representative of the Ssaza Chief Kago. It is not unusual for a singer to sing about those present, and he enjoys within reason a Jester's licence of the speech. Topical song, with 1 tall, cylindrical, open and pinned drum, 1 large conical laced drum (-14.22301-) and hand clapping (-12.03-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Safari ya Baraka
- Authors: Ombiza Charles , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Zande , Alur (African people) , Swahili-speaking peoples , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Stanleyville f-cg
- Language: Zande/Vongara
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168064 , vital:41537 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0124-08
- Description: "The successful journey when everything went right, my business affairs flourished, my friends were pleased to see me and I had no mishaps on the way and returned safely." In 1952 Ombiza Charles was one of the leading guitar players and singers in Stanleyville. They had copied the style of playing introduced from Angola through Leopoildvile and every tune they employed they called a 'rumba'. This professional group of performers was called Oroclos. 'Rumba' topical song, with guitar, bottle and friction stick.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Usegugil' ubaba
- Authors: Chief Buthelezi and his Tribesmen and Women (Performers) , N. Mpungose (Composer) , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1955
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk music--South Africa , Folk songs, Zulu , Africa South Africa Mahlabatini f-za
- Language: Zulu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/133398 , vital:36972 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR012-01
- Description: Isigekle wedding songs with stamping, clapping
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1955
Anatami (Mid-season)
- Authors: Group of Tonga men led by Siamungomo , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Tonga (Zambezi people) , Folk songs, Tonga (Zambezi) , Music--Zambia , Africa Zambia Gwembe f-za
- Language: Tonga
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/138353 , vital:37625 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR043-01
- Description: Towards the end of the song the voice of the Chief Chepepo can be heard. "Listen boys, I have been to Gwanda, Mersima, Plumtree in Salisbury. Also I was in India." Midseason is the time between sowing and reaping the winter crops, between May and July. Drinking song with clapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1957
Chitima wajumbo
- Authors: Composer not specified , Elmas Nachilwa and group of Tumbuka women (Performers) , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Songs, Tumbuka , Africa Malawi Rumpi f-mw
- Language: Tumbuka
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/134090 , vital:37071 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR017-09
- Description: It appears from what the singers explained, that this Chief Jumbo took the train one day in Nyasaland and the occasion being so unusal for the Chief in whose district no railway lines exist, that it merited a song in his honour.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1957
Kamuteketi, Kamuteketi, chalu chinu cha ulendo (I came here as a stranger)
- Authors: Iron Khoma , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk songs, Tonga (Nyasa) , Songs, Tumbuka , Malawi , Africa Malawi Chinteche f-mw
- Language: Luvale/Chokwe
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/137312 , vital:37509 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0037-03
- Description: "At our place at home, you will find Beti Kamanga, the son of Balidi. I will stay here till night and sleep until morning. My head is coming through my hair. My father and mother are both dead and I am very poor. Jesus called Moses to leave his fishing and come to Him, on Lake Nyasa." Self-delectative nostalgic song with Bangwe board zither with 7 strings, lowest not used.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1957