Gitare na Congo
- Authors: Bakia Pierre , 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/Bandiya
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167395 , vital:41475 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0122-08
- Description: The 'guitar' alluded to in the song is the Kundi. The song is about a blacksmith who beat on his anvil and sang as he did so saying: "My anvil is the real 'guitar' of the Congo. I play it to show how I love my work." It is in this Northern district of the Congo that the art of blacksmithing is unsurpassed. The decorative spears and knives are the pride of the people and feature largely in the list of social and marriage gifts between familes. The singer was given a highly commended prize for this item in the 1952 Osborn Awards for the best African musician of the year. Topical song with Kundi vertical angular harp, 5 strings.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Dekuku na degusiya kimakoyo
- Authors: Bakia Pierre , 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/Bandiya
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167377 , vital:41473 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0122-06
- Description: "He took a wife chosen from amongst the girls of his own village, when she was very young, but another man stole her away from him." Ngbanda Mandefu, the other harp player, a tall bearded man got up and danced in a style reminiscent of a Cossack dance, snapping his fingers and stamping now and then. Bakia Pierre is a large quietly spoken man who works in a Portuguese butchers shop in the small town of Buta. His songs were greeted with great applause and satisfaction by his fellow Zande in the circle. Topical song, with vertical angular Kundi harp, 5 strings.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Midebina vungu kwato
- Authors: Bakia Pierre , 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/Bandiya
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167382 , vital:41474 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0122-07
- Description: "I made this song for a friend who was not my brother." The tuning of the harp was:- 352, 324, 288, 240, 220 vs. Ngbanda Mandefu, the other harp player, a tall bearded man got up and danced in a style reminiscent of a Cossack dance, snapping his fingers and stamping now and then. Bakia Pierre is a large quietly spoken man who works in a Portuguese butchers shop in the small town of Buta. His songs were greeted with great applause and satisfaction by his fellow Zande in the circle. Topical song, with vertical angular Kundi harp, 5 strings.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Bagangali
- Authors: Bakia Pierre , 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/Bandiya
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167368 , vital:41472 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0122-05
- Description: "I am the only son of my father. My wife, laugh just once so that I may see your teeth." Ngbanda Mandefu, the other harp player, a tall bearded man got up and danced in a style reminiscent of a Cossack dance, snapping his fingers and stamping now and then. Bakia Pierre is a large quietly spoken man who works in a Portuguese butchers shop in the small town of Buta. His songs were greeted with great applause and satisfaction by his fellow Zande in the circle. Topical song, with vertical angular Kundi harp, 5 strings.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Makoto
- Authors: Barambo soilders and women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Poko f-cg
- Language: Ngbandi
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166994 , vital:41427 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0121-13
- Description: No details of the instruments tuning were taken at the time except to note that they conformed to the usual likembe pattern, box body, bass notes central in the array, with a single low note to one side of the single manual. Dance tunes with 2 Likembe and a conical laced drum.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Apegale
- Authors: Barambo soilders and women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Poko f-cg
- Language: Ngbandi
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166989 , vital:41426 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0121-12
- Description: No details of the instruments tuning were taken at the time except to note that they conformed to the usual likembe pattern, box body, bass notes central in the array, with a single low note to one side of the single manual. Dance tunes with 2 Likembe and a conical laced drum.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Chief summoning his people
- Authors: Drummers of Chief Mongika , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Gombari f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/169084 , vital:41682 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0129-03
- Description: Away from the Congo river itself it appears that the art of sending drum messages deteriorates into the sendng of signals only, the former being based upon the tonality of the individual words comprising the sentences transmitted, the latter comprising pre-set phrases and rhythms to which certain significance is attached. The signals may have risen from messages in the past but the skill of 'talking' on the drums has almost if not entirely vanished among the Mangbele. The significance ofthe 'Tamatsaro' signal was not explained. Drum rhythms or signals with 2 slit drums, 2 large pod shaped slit drums, 2 long cyclindrical drums.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Call to war
- Authors: Drummers of Chief Mongika , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Gombari f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/169075 , vital:41681 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0129-02
- Description: Away from the Congo river itself it appears that the art of sending drum messages deteriorates into the sendng of signals only, the former being based upon the tonality of the individual words comprising the sentences transmitted, the latter comprising pre-set phrases and rhythms to which certain significance is attached. The signals may have risen from messages in the past but the skill of 'talking' on the drums has almost if not entirely vanished among the Mangbele. The significance ofthe 'Tamatsaro' signal was not explained. Drum rhythms or signals with 2 slit drums, 2 large pod shaped slit drums, 2 long cyclindrical drums.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Call for circumcision
- Authors: Drummers of Chief Mongika , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Gombari f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/169108 , vital:41685 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0129-06
- Description: Away from the Congo river itself it appears that the art of sending drum messages deteriorates into the sendng of signals only, the former being based upon the tonality of the individual words comprising the sentences transmitted, the latter comprising pre-set phrases and rhythms to which certain significance is attached. The signals may have risen from messages in the past but the skill of 'talking' on the drums has almost if not entirely vanished among the Mangbele. The significance ofthe 'Tamatsaro' signal was not explained. Drum rhythms or signals with 2 slit drums, 2 large pod shaped slit drums, 2 long cyclindrical drums.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Tamatsaro
- Authors: Drummers of Chief Mongika , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Gombari f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/169103 , vital:41684 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0129-05
- Description: Away from the Congo river itself it appears that the art of sending drum messages deteriorates into the sendng of signals only, the former being based upon the tonality of the individual words comprising the sentences transmitted, the latter comprising pre-set phrases and rhythms to which certain significance is attached. The signals may have risen from messages in the past but the skill of 'talking' on the drums has almost if not entirely vanished among the Mangbele. The significance ofthe 'Tamatsaro' signal was not explained. Drum rhythms or signals with 2 slit drums, 2 large pod shaped slit drums, 2 long cyclindrical drums.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Announcing a death
- Authors: Drummers of Chief Mongika , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Gombari f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/169089 , vital:41683 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0129-06
- Description: Away from the Congo river itself it appears that the art of sending drum messages deteriorates into the sendng of signals only, the former being based upon the tonality of the individual words comprising the sentences transmitted, the latter comprising pre-set phrases and rhythms to which certain significance is attached. The signals may have risen from messages in the past but the skill of 'talking' on the drums has almost if not entirely vanished among the Mangbele. The significance ofthe 'Tamatsaro' signal was not explained. Drum rhythms or signals with 2 slit drums, 2 large pod shaped slit drums, 2 long cyclindrical drums.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Jimbo ya Ebogoma
- Authors: Ebogoma Gabriel , 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/10962/166814 , vital:41407 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-08
- Description: The singer learnt to play the Neikembe in 1945 at Medje. Both tunes have attractive simple little accompaniments, ideal for this kind of song. The tuning of the Neilembe from left to right. First tuning:- 640, 528, 432, 320, 264, 216, 396, 480, 592, 720. 360. Second tuning:- 800, 608, 488, 324, 276, 244, 400, 544, 656, 712, 364. Topical song with Neikembe, box resonated Likembe.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Azaringwagate
- Authors: Ebogoma Gabriel , 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/10962/166851 , vital:41411 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-12
- Description: Likembe songs such as this are the delight of the evening audiences in the huts at night. The subtle changes of rhythm enhance its otherwise simple theme. He re-tuned his instrument for this song as follows:- 800, 608, 488, 324, 276, 244, 400, 544, 656, 712, 364. (552) (648) (728). This scale was knocked slightly out of tune during playing. (See notes in brackets). There appears to be a note missing between 488 vs, and 400 vs. - unless the player deliberatly requred s hexatonic mode. Topical song wih Neikembe, Likembe.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Dzoli
- Authors: Ebogoma Gabriel , 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/10962/166838 , vital:41410 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-11
- Description: A brave little marching tune and song, very simple by utterly African. The tuning of the Neikembe was:- 640, 592, 528, 480, 432, 396, 360, 320, 264, 216 vs. The player was given a "Highly Commended" prize in the 1952 Osborn Awards for the best African musician of the year. Topical song with Neikembe likembe.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Nemangolia
- Authors: Ebogoma Gabriel , 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/10962/166822 , vital:41408 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-09
- Description: The singer learnt to play the Neikembe in 1945 at Medje. Both tunes have attractive simple little accompaniments, ideal for this kind of song. The tuning of the Neilembe from left to right. First tuning:- 640, 528, 432, 320, 264, 216, 396, 480, 592, 720. 360. Second tuning:- 800, 608, 488, 324, 276, 244, 400, 544, 656, 712, 364. Topical song with Neikembe, box resonated Likembe.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Meria
- Authors: Ebogoma Gabriel , 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/10962/166833 , vital:41409 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-10
- Description: An attractive little falsetto song to a rippling accompaniment typical of the instrument. The tuning of the Neikembe was:- 640, 592, 528, 480, 432, 396, 360, 320, 264, 216 vs. The player was given a "Highly Commended" prize in the 1952 Osborn Awards for the best African musician of the year. Topical song with Neikembe likembe.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Andanyero mamamba
- Authors: Ebogoma Gabriel , 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/10962/166860 , vital:41412 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-13
- Description: Likembe songs such as this are the delight of the evening audiences in the huts at night. The subtle changes of rhythm enhance its otherwise simple theme. He re-tuned his instrument for this song as follows:- 800, 608, 488, 324, 276, 244, 400, 544, 656, 712, 364. (552) (648) (728). This scale was knocked slightly out of tune during playing. (See notes in brackets). There appears to be a note missing between 488 vs, and 400 vs. - unless the player deliberatly requred s hexatonic mode. Topical song wih Neikembe, Likembe.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
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
Nadu
- 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/10962/166752 , vital:41400 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-01
- Description: The Nadu dance is performed in a straight line. The Medje names of the instruments were:- Conical drum - Nabita, large bell drum - Nedundu, Slit drum - Nekbokbo, Pod drum - Emandru, Double metal bell - Nenbongbo, Basket rattle - Nezeza. The Medje have earned for themselves a reputation for singing and dancing. The steps of their dances are simple but most effective en masse. Marriage dance with 4 conical laced drums, 1 large bell slit drum, 2 pod slit drums, 2 small slit drums, 1 double metal bell, 1 metal hand bell and 6 basket rattles.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Nenye angupu
- 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/10962/166770 , vital:41402 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-02
- Description: "We honour our Chief, we are ready for him to inspect our work." The song is performed when Chief arrives in a village on a visit. The Medje tribe in a fertile palm forest region south of the small town of Paulis. The music is strangely reminiscent of that of the Bemba from the South Eastern borders of the Congo and Northern Rhodesia a thousand miles away. Praise song for a Chief with 4 conical drums, 1 large bell drum, 2 pod drums, 1 small cylindrical drum, 2 small slit drums, 1 double metal bell, basket rattles and metal hand bell.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952