Sikusinja
- Authors: J. W. Gwengwe and Chewa 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/10962/160197 , vital:40418 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR097-04
- Description: Sikusinja was a rich man who was killed by his brother Gwenembe. A bird saw him do it and flew to the village to tell everyone what had happened. Through his singing the people understood what had happened. Gwenembe was a poor man who coveted his brothers belongings, and that is why he killed him. The bird when singing said, "Don't wonder, I saw Gwenembe killing Sikusinja and all the things he took." Eventually Gwenembe was taken to Kachere for Judgment and he was put to death. It is a story with a moral. 'Be sure your sins will find you out!' The bird witness is a constant African Image. "Sikusinja was a rich man. He was killed by his brother Gwenembe. The bird saw himdo it." The accompaniment of a guitar in this kind od story is unsual and a recent innovation only. Nthano story with guitar.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Kalulu nthawi ya cilala (Rabbit in the time of drought)
- Authors: J. W. Gwengwe and Chewa 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/10962/160205 , vital:40419 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR097-05
- Description: There was once a time of drought and all the animals gathered together to find water. They deceided that rabbit would be able to find water for them. The rabbit told them that water would be found under the Msendekere tree. So the animals all gathered there and were all digging together. Eventually they got down to the water. They were all delighted and in gratitude they said they should make Kalulu the Rabbit their chief. "A big chief like Kachere himself", a chief over a large district. So rabbit was made chief and all the animals joined in a song of praise, each one making his own kind of noise. The lion roared, the hyenas laughed, the snakes hissed, the cattle lowed, the crocodile grunted, the zebra brayed, the elephant trumpeted and the sheep bleated. They all joined together in a heavy voice of praise. Nthano story song with guitar.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Fedina (Name of a man)
- Authors: Jason Kafunda and Chewa boys , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Nyanja , Songs, Chewa , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Mwadzama, Kotakota, Central Nyasaland f-mw
- Language: Nyanja, Chewa, Chichewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/153990 , vital:39551 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR079-04
- Description: "Fedina and John went to Salisbury. On their way John killed Fedina to get hold of his cloth which was better than his own. From Fedina's blood sprang a bird which sang a song telling of Fedina's death. So John was killed because of what he did, and the bird disappeared into the ground as the blood had done." The bird in circumstances such as this is constantly featured as a form of conscience or sense of guilt which brings the malefactor to justice. The blood of his friend brings the murderer to his end. "Fedina. Fedina is dead. He was dead because of a cloth."
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Cinan'gomba (The Eagle)
- Authors: Jason Kafunda and Chewa boys , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Nyanja , Songs, Chewa , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Mwadzama, Kotakota, Central Nyasaland f-mw
- Language: Nyanja, Chewa, Chichewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/153971 , vital:39549 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR079-02
- Description: A child hunting mice dug a hole and found an eagle inside. The bird told him not to tell his mother that he had found him. As the boy was on his way home the bird sang his song. When he met his mother she asked him why the bird was singing. The boy answered "Because I dug it out". The singing chased the bird until it was tired, so she caught it and killed it. S. "Cinang'omba cinang'omba coyaya ine, CH. Siico cinang'omba. S. Mwanawe, usakanene kwa amako kuti yaye Cimbalame ca banga pa msana ye. CH. Siico cinang'omba." "There is the eagle, there is the eagle. You, child, do not tell your mother that you have seen the eagle with spots on his back." Story and song (Nthanu)
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Namwali (The girl)
- Authors: Joachim Mwale , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Chewa , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Pemba f-mw
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159001 , vital:40249 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR094-18
- Description: It is a commonly held belief that salt tasted or used by women while they cohabit with their husbands has the effect of bringing on conception. A woman having an illicit love affair therefore tries to avoid salt. "The girl who illicitly cohabts with her lover does not touch salt. The tuning of the Bangwe was; 488, 456, 416, 380, 324, 304. The top string (above 488) was not in tune. Self delectative song with Bangwe board zither.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Kwiyo kwiyo (Catch the chicken)
- Authors: Joey Ngwira , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Chewa , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Kasengu f-mw
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156885 , vital:40062 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR092-10
- Description: The Pango (Bango or Bangwe) is the instrument most commonly found throughout Nyasaland. Here the local dialect changes the more usual Bangwe to Pango and sometimes Pangwe. I was strummed with a swaying of the fingers. The singer begs for a chicken. People have been dancing and then are asking the owner of the house to give them a chicken to eat before they go home. Kwiyo-kwiyo is the sound of the fowl. "Kwiyo-kwiyo, catch the chicken even though it is a small one. There is the chicken." The sound of a bugle intrudes just before the end of the song. Self delectative song with board zither (Pango).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Chitako Bitileshi (Beatrice's thighs)
- Authors: Joey Ngwira , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Chewa , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Kasengu f-mw
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156876 , vital:40060 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR092-09
- Description: The Pango (Bango or Bangwe) is the instrument most commonly found throughout Nyasaland. Here the local dialect changes the more usual Bangwe to Pango and sometimes Pangwe. I was strummed with a swaying of the fingers. "Oh! the thighs of Beatrice. I could not sleep well last night." Self delectative song with board zither (Pango).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Pita uko (Together)
- Authors: Johani Kamzimbi , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Chewa , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Pemba f-mw
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158978 , vital:40247 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR094-16
- Description: The player held his zither sideways and plucked the far top string with the thumb of his left hand, running over the other strings with his right, alternate strings together. "To go by yourself to Nyanja (Nyasaland) is not good. Better come with me." Self delectative song with board zither.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Pita uko (Together)
- Authors: Johani Kamzimbi , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Chewa , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Pemba f-mw
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158973 , vital:40246 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR094-16
- Description: The player held his zither sideways and plucked the far top string with the thumb of his left hand, running over the other strings with his right, alternate strings together. "To go by yourself to Nyanja (Nyasaland) is not good. Better come with me." Self delectative song with board zither.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Mwana anzanga (Friends! Have you seen?)
- Authors: Johani Kamzimbi , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Chewa , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Pemba f-mw
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158963 , vital:40245 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR094-15
- Description: 'Friends have you seen Bwana. A Ciwere with a fez on, together with messengers?" Self delectative song with board zither.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Amai anda nena mangwila-ngwila (My mother always told me not to touch anything in the house)
- Authors: Josani Phiri , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1957
- Subjects: Folk music--Malawi , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Songs, Chewa , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Malawi Dowa f-mw
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/160790 , vital:40544 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR099-04
- Description: On hearing his song played back to him, Josani Phiri held his head in his hands and shook it unbelievingly during the whole playing. Self delectative song with Bongo board zither.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1957
Kundandali ndanda (The hunter)
- Authors: Justina Banda , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Chewa , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Kasungu f-mw
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159658 , vital:40322 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR095-12
- Description: There was once a man, a hunter called Kundandali who had a wife who tried to stop him leaving the house, saying, "Do not go, you have gunpowder and your gun on your shoulder." But the man was always going away and she always tried to stop him by begging him to put down his gun and his gunpowder and stay at home. The transcription of the vernacular words as written by the singers in both cases is rather uncertain and open to correction. Story song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Panali Ntowi-towi (The bird Ntowi-towi)
- Authors: Kampala Mware and Chewa boys , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Nyanja , Songs, Chewa , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Visanza, Kotakota District, Nyasaland f-mw
- Language: Nyanja, Chewa, Chichewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/154086 , vital:39561 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR079-14
- Description: There was once a bird called Ntowi-towi, who went to a certain village to find a wife but he failed because he had thin legs. So he returned to his house. But later, some of the girls who had turned him down went to get fruit. On their way they wanted water to drink. But the bird refused eo allow them to drink as they had refused him. One girl thereupon decided to marry him after all, and they all sang "I came to your village to marry you and you refused me on account of my legs, now I will take you to be my wife." Now the girl and the bird stayed together and often sang the same song together. "I went to your house to marry you and you refused m because of my thin legs." Eventually the girl ran away from the bird, but he went on singing all alone the very same song. Story song (Nthanu)
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Ng'ombe zaya (His cattle)
- Authors: Kampala Mware and Chewa 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 Kotakota f-mw
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159989 , vital:40364 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR096-02
- Description: The listeners answer 'Tilitonsi' "We are together". There was once a man who had some cows and he went to herd them out in the bush. When he felt hungry he went to a certain tree to cook a few grains of maize to eat. When he had eaten all he had cooked, he looked up and found his cows had disappeared. He called his son and told him the cattle had gone. "Bring me an arrow" he said, and then he sang this magic song "Ng'ombe dzaya" so they were able to find the animals again and took them back to the village. Nthano story song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Gunde (Gunde and the crocodile)
- Authors: Kezia Chilumpha and girls , 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/10962/160251 , vital:40426 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR097-10
- Description: "Gunde, yes, who is the man brave enough to take the 'wife' of the crocodile. There was once a certain woman who killed her only child and buried her outside the hut. After a while only the skelton remained and the rain fell and washed away the earth, exposing a leg. A crocodile nearby dug up all the bones joined them together and made another child out of them. "Who has done this" the woman cried. Now the child grew up with the crocodile and became a beautiful girl. So the mother sang. "Who is brave enough to take my daughter from the crocodile." No one in the village was brave enough so the crocodile kept his girl from himself. The mother continually came to the lake to sing for her daughter. One day the daughter heard her mother and as the crocodile was away she came out and went with her to the village. But the crocodile came and begged for the girl as he himself had brought her up and given her life. The mother could not refuse him and so the daughter went back to the lake and married the crocodile. Nthano story song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Mangondo azipita (Mangondo must go)
- Authors: Livinia Jere and 2 Chewa women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Nyanja , Songs, Chewa , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Visanza, Kota Kota District, Central Nyasaland f-mw
- Language: Nyanja, Chewa, Chichewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/153383 , vital:39445 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR076-09
- Description: Sung very quietly. "The girl Mangondo must not miss the last of the wedding ceremonies. "Mangondo must go to the last wedding ceremony, Ha-iya-ho, dance father." Weddiing song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Anagondo tilowe (Anagondo let me in)
- Authors: Livinia Jese and 2 Chewa women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Chewa , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Visanza f-mw
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/156941 , vital:40070 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR092-15
- Description: This song was sung very quietly. The names are girls names and the singer is outside the door asking to be let in. "Aye, aye, Anangondo let me in, Anangondo aye, aye, aye. Anajere le me in.". Dance song for Chintala women dance.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
A) Lululu, B) Leza wa mwana
- Authors: Lusiya Nabanda (a grandmother) , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Nyanja , Songs, Chewa , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Chadza, Liliongwe, Central Nyasaland f-mw
- Language: Nyanja, Chewa, Chichewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/153329 , vital:39436 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR076-03
- Description: Old traditional lullabies, by Chewa women of this district. In them the continually harassed mother mentions her many and endless duties which demand her attention as well as the child which needs her constant care. b) "Luluya, sleeping child, do not cry. See your motehr is at work. See the porridge pot is boiling. Don't go on crying, go to sleep. A child's god is a scrap of food. Its mother is the stirring stick. Should I nurse a child on account of the stirring stick? Its father is its first finger. I get only a share from the kitchen spoon." Two lullabies.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Munthu ukakala wekha (If you are alone)
- Authors: Lusiya Nabanda and Chewa women with girls , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Chewa , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Kasungu f-mw
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159619 , vital:40318 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR095-08
- Description: "When you are alone do not quarrel with anyone. Because these very friends of yours may have something good about them." "They may go and catch a fowl and give it to you." Verse with clapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958
Timange mphwanga pano (Let us settle here properly)
- Authors: Lusiya Nabanda and Chewa women with girls , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Songs, Chewa , Songs, Nyanja , Nyanja (African people) , Chewa (African people) , Folk music , Africa Malawi Kasungu f-mw
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159631 , vital:40319 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR095-09
- Description: "The country does not eat the mouse", meaning the move in fact lives off the country, so do not be afraid to start a new village here and make gardens to feed us. "Let us settle here properly, nephew. Settle here. Let us settle here properly nephew. The country does not eat the mouse." Verse with clapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1958