Etso ga ke batle e ejwa (I don't want to give my cow)
- Authors: Group of Lete men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Ramoutsa f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Lete
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165317 , vital:41232 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0112-04
- Description: "This dark cow of mine must not be given for lobola because it belongs to the rain. It cannot be given to cowards." This refers to the old custom of sacrificing a dark-coloured or black beast for the rain ceremony. It is sung when the bride-price has been to the girl's parents. At the end of the song one of the men declaims a praise, Maboko, for the grandfather of the present Chief - Chief Ikaneng who died about 1896. Engagement song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Loseka lwa e boka (You should not praise this cow)
- Authors: Group of Lete men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Ramoutsa f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Lete
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165326 , vital:41233 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0112-05
- Description: 'You should not praise this cow for you do not know it. It is hornless. It is the cow belonging to nong." 'Nong' is a generic term for any large bird but more specifically means 'Vulture'. This song also is sung when the bride-price is paid. It ends with a Maboko praise and the cries of the women. The praise was for Baitlutli, grand uncle of the present Chief and uncle of Ketshwerebothata, ex-Regent of Ramoutsa. Engagement song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Makwati o tshola nama (Makwati is handing out meat of a pig)
- Authors: Group of Kwena boys , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Molepolole f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Kwena
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165270 , vital:41227 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0111-15
- Description: "Makwati is handing out the meat of a pig. The meat of a baboon is very nice. You would taste it, if only you chewed it. He-le-le!" Step dance with whistle and clapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Sebata (The clawed lion)
- Authors: Group of Hurutshe men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Motswedi f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Lete
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165520 , vital:41252 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0113-01
- Description: This song is introduced by an old woman. The word "Sebata" used for the lion, is a generic name for all clawed carnivorous animals. "Mariwi" - the "manned one". "Sebata" - the "clawed one" (with special reference to the lion). "The clawed one, the manned one. Lion! It ate the cattle of my in-laws when I was looking after them. Alas! It did not run away." Men's initiation song, sung on returning from the hills.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Bana ba tau we-e! (Children of the lion!)
- Authors: Group of about 70 men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Mochudi f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Kgatla
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166218 , vital:41339 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0117-02
- Description: "Children of the lion. He - he! we! Having been called, we have come." This song was recorded on the occasion when the Chief was being presented with the skin of a lion which had recently been killed, out at one of the cattle posts. According to custom, the skin had to be given to the Chief, Murusi Pilane. A large crowd of men marched up through the village to the Chief's council place, the Kgotla, singing this song as they came. The man who had killed the lion wore the skin over his head and shoulders, while four other men were similarly covered with the skins of leopards. A friend had the hollow fanged skull of the lion strapped on top of his head. As they sang, several men stabbed the air with their assegais as if they were reenacting the scene. Hunting song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Tebele ya sila ya gaila (The Ndebele girl is grinding and crushing)
- Authors: Group of about 40 women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Ramoutsa f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Lete
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165502 , vital:41250 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0112-11
- Description: This song may refer to the fact that the Ndebele under Mazilekatsi came through this country on or before their way north in 1840, in Moffat's time. Grinding song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Sechomane, ke kabo ke itsi (Sechomane, if I knew how to write)
- Authors: Group of about 30 women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Ramoutsa f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Lete
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165344 , vital:41235 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0112-07
- Description: "Sechomane, if I knew how to write, I would write to the Chief." The melody of this song suggests a similarity with songs from the Masai - Arusha region of Tanganyika. There may be no direct connection whatsoever; it is only the musical impact which suggests the comparison. People's dance with clapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Konyane ga ga bo ke kae (Where is Konyane's home?)
- Authors: Group of about 30 women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Ramoutsa f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Lete
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165335 , vital:41234 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0112-06
- Description: People's dance with clapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Mogalepetla nong tsa noka e kgolo (The Mogalepetla birds live near the great river)
- Authors: Group of 8 men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Ramoutsa f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Lete
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165296 , vital:41230 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0112-02
- Description: "The Mogalepetla birds live on the banks of a great river. They live along the banks of the river Mayinole." The praises in the middle of this song were for the present Chief, Mokgosi III. Male initiation song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Pududu we-e (Old one)
- Authors: Group of 70 men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Mochudi f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Kgatla
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166209 , vital:41338 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0117-01
- Description: "Grey ox-grey home. There at the place we have come from, we have destroyed. The heart of the enemy, grey home, we have slaughtered for the birds of prey. The ox of the enemy, they have destroyed us and we also have destroyed them. Men, we are people who have spilt blood on the grass. We are the blood spilt on the grass-Grey home. The ox of the enemy, we are those whose blood is spilt everywhere upon the earth. Brindled one, with a blackback, beast of the enemy." The song was introduced by the Chief, Murusi Pilane. Regimental song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Ke nare e lona (I am a big Buffalo)
- Authors: Group of 20 men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Ramoutsa f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Lete
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165288 , vital:41229 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0112-01
- Description: "I am a big buffalo, I can go through any barrier." Halfway through the song, the Chief's uncle stops them and shows them how to sing it. Male initiation song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Mmemogolo golo gana kobo (My grandmother has no blanket)
- Authors: Group of 12 men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Ramoutsa f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Lete
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165304 , vital:41231 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0112-03
- Description: Male initiation song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Pududu we re sentu (Old Chief Ikaneng)
- Authors: Group of 12 men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Ramoutsa f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Lete
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165511 , vital:41251 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0112-12
- Description: "We have killed the people of the Kalahari." Makgalagadi is a team of contempt apparently used by some Tswana tribes for any tribe which lives further west than themselves. This old song refers to the feuds between the Lete and the Ngwaketse tribes. The Chief Ikaneng was always called "Pududu" - 'the old man' by his people. At the end of the song one of them recites a praise to the old chief "Pududu Ikaneng." Fighting song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Silang moshoko (Grind and make porridge)
- Authors: Grace Merementsi and group of about 30 school girls , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Disaneng f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Tlharo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165177 , vital:41215 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0111-09
- Description: "Grind and make porridge, milk the cows. The sun has set. The children are hungry. The children are getting rheumatic. That man is lean." Some of the children knelt and rubbed the stones on each other, in imitation of grinding whilst the others sang and made appropriate miming gestures to each verse. Children's singing game.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Maboko tsa Kgosi Masibi II (Praises for Chief Masibi II)
- Authors: Goitshasiwang Moleele , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Disaneng f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Tlharo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164172 , vital:41087 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0110-03
- Description: The words allude to a Barolong Chief having been put over the tribe when the present Chief's father was exiled to Hannansvlei where he died. His ody was brought back to Disaneng to be buried. Praise.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Ngwanyana a tima Mosadi-Mogola mosoko (The girl who did not give the old woman food)
- Authors: Gertrude Matlou , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Saulspoort f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Kgatla
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166254 , vital:41343 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0117-06
- Description: A certain girl cooked food and did not give any to an old woman. Later on the girl went to play. While she was playing she saw a locust which she follwed into the country. Other girls with her got tired, but she went on. The same old woman was out in the bush and she caught the locust and handed it to the girl when she came up, but when the girl tried to accept it, the woman caught hold of her and she began to cry. A man who was nearby heard the cry and came and killed the old woman, took the girl and nursed her wounds. One day the girl went to the river and there met her fatherwho went with her to her rescuer and gave him an ox and then afterwards took her safely home again. Story.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Marimbo
- Authors: George Modiegnyana and group of young men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa South Africa Zeerust f-sa
- Language: Tswana/Hurutshe
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165895 , vital:41293 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0115-14
- Description: Sung at a wedding in honour of both bride and bridegroom. The singers had just come back from initiation school and huddled together looking very shy. The solo part gives indications of foreign influence. A cicada was singing in the tree under which the singers were grouped. Wedding song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Xhosa I (Saturday is a lonely day)
- 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/10962/165660 , vital:41268 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0114-04
- 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
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
Lelwa retswang teng resentse (We come from the place where we have killed)
- Authors: Eight Kwena men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Kwena (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Botswana Molepolole f-bs
- Language: Tswana/Kwena
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/162817 , vital:40986 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0109-09
- Description: "We come from where we have killed. Oh, the greyhead! We-we! We praise our leader. We come from the place where we have killed. Once we killed the people of the Kalahari. We killed them and they killed us." According to the interpreter it appears that initiation songs among the Tswana follow a certin pattern and the same ones are sung by all the Tswana tribes, with local variations. Male initiation song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959