Amabele-o-iye
- Authors: Mosis, Magdalena, and Terasa (Mambuti women) , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Songs, Swahili , Mbuti (African people) , Swahili-speaking peoples , Pygmies , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Mbau-Mbili f-cg
- Language: Congo Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168178 , vital:41548 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0125-04
- Description: These songs were sung by three very small pygmy women all crouching on the ground close together. Their songs, it is said, asre composed mostly of vowel sounds or very simple words without much attempt to form a lyric. They were clothed only in a small strip of cloth each strung between the legs with each supported by a waist band of bark string. Each had a single string of beads around the neck and black markings were painted on their faces and necks. These songs, they said,could also be used as lullabies. At the end of the second and third items the bleat of a goat kid can be heard. Party song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Emasire
- Authors: Berroit Kukwabo , 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 Bunia f-cg
- Language: Bira
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168482 , vital:41588 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0126-15
- Description: "How now! Seri struck me, so I am going away." Topical song with Sanzo Apido Likembe (Mbira), 12 notes (treble).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Yando
- Authors: Chief Bianoko and Buudu men , 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/10962/168356 , vital:41571 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0126-03
- Description: A dance for festive occasions. The Buudu is a Bantu tribe which has moved across westwards from the Rwenzori mountains about 300 miles to the present locality. They are unusually dark skinned for Bantu and use a variety of musical instruments, relying mostly on slit drums for their dance music. Slit drums are common because large timber is plentiful but cattle or antelope skins rare for the making of membranes. The membranes of their conical drums are therefore usually made from elephant ears. Party dance with two conical drums, snall slit drum, two pod drums, ivory horn, basket rattles and two metal hand bells.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Ope
- Authors: Chief Bianoko and his tipoyi carriers , 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/10962/168365 , vital:41573 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0126-04
- Description: The second song strongly resembles those of the Pygmies who were sole occupants of the Ituri forest before the Mabuudu arrived in this locality. They speak of these Mbuti pygmies as Mbutu, a local variation of the pronunciation. Most of the native notables, chiefs and other functionaries are carried around the country from place to place in sedan chairs locally called "tipoyi". The carriers have evolved their oen 'tipoyi' songs and dances. Song and dance with ivory horn basket rattles (-12.54-) and small bell (-12.55-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Mongu
- Authors: Mbuti men, women and children , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Songs, Swahili , Mbuti (African people) , Swahili-speaking peoples , Pygmies , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Gombari f-cg
- Language: Congo Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168232 , vital:41554 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0125-10
- Description: The local popular name for these Pygmies is "Batikitiki". Like other groups of pygmies they are very much at the mercy of the Bantu tribes who live outside on the edges of their portion of the Ituri forest. They exchange meat and honey from the forest for grain and other food stuff, but as often as not are robbed of their efforts by exploiting Africans. The musical instruments used by these Pygmies are those borrowed from teh Bantu outside the forest. Drums, especially, would be too heavy and cumbersome for the Pygmies to carry into the forest with them, or keep in their flimsy camps. Party song with 2 conical, laced drums and 1 basket rattle.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Boyoka Malinga II
- Authors: Albert Yenie and Alex Singoma , 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 Bunia f-cg
- Language: Bira
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168466 , vital:41585 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0126-13
- Description: As it is not certain whether the guitar or the likembe version is the original 'Boyaka malinga' a short extract of the guitar song is included here for reference. It was recorded in the Southern Congo over a thousand miles, six months previously. Duet on the Likembe, (Mbira) - Sanzo apido (treble) x 20 notes, and Sanzo ababo (bass) x 22 notes.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
The antelope hunt
- Authors: Group of Mambuti men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Songs, Swahili , Mbuti (African people) , Swahili-speaking peoples , Pygmies , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Mbau-Mbili f-cg
- Language: Congo Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168219 , vital:41553 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0125-09
- Description: This recording starts with the sound of the pygmy hunting pipes with which they call each other in the forest while hunting. To prevent their cracking, the pipes are often encased in the skin of a wild pig's tail shrunk onto the hollowed pipe while still wet. The cries and whistles are performed at the kill before they sing ther song of success at the death of Tembo, the elephant. This tribe of pygmy men are the genuine pygmies of the Ituri forest in central Congo, og which there are three groups, the Mbuti, the Mbenga and the Tshwa. They live by hunting in the forest by gathering honey ad by barter of these products, meat and honey for grain and cassava with the Nande tribe of Bantu who live on the edge of the forest. They have a remarkable technique for killing elephants first hamstringing the animal. They are simple, diginified little creatures with amazing powers of observationand stalking of birds, monkeys and antelope in the forest. They live in the simplest of shelters and frequently move in search of honey and game. Hunting song, with 2 hunting whistles, drum and sticks.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Mbuti dance
- Authors: Mbuti Pygmy men and women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Songs, Swahili , Mbuti (African people) , Swahili-speaking peoples , Pygmies , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Gombari f-cg
- Language: Congo Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168259 , vital:41557 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0125-13
- Description: The Pygmies of the forest borrow the instruments of the Bantu people outside. They have few if any instruments of their own. The slit drum was beautifully proportioned, semi-circular in shape, 41" across the diameter and 3" broad. The slit was 1" across and was carved out a hole through it to act as an insulating foot while playing or a handle to bang it up by. It is called Ndundu. The two conical drums were called Gude and were the usual laced drums of the district and measured 22" x 13" head and 30" x 8" head. Both made of very light wood. Conical laced drums, 1 semi-circular slit drum and basket rattle.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Pygmy dance II
- Authors: Mambuti Pygmy men and women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Songs, Swahili , Mbuti (African people) , Swahili-speaking peoples , Pygmies , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Gombari f-cg
- Language: Congo Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168250 , vital:41556 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0125-12
- Description: Amongst these little people the words for song and for dance are almost synonymous. Because so few local Bantu are able to speak the Pygmy language, it is most difficult to obtain exact informationfro them on this account. Much argument and discussion went on before and after each item. The high pitched beat is the sound of the stick striking the outside of the drum. Dance with conical laced drum, pipes and hand clapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Maria Chibu
- Authors: Albert Yenie and Alex Singoma , 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 Bunia f-cg
- Language: Bira
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168443 , vital:41582 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0126-11
- Description: This is an attempt either to transpose a well known guitar song to the traditional instrument of the district or is the original folk tune itself. The sanzo ababo has a very wide bridge, 8 and half inches, possibly the widest of all the Mbira family. The notes do not take up all this space as a large gap of about 2" is left between the notes played by each hand, Nos. 1-11 and 12-22. Duet on the Likembe, (Mbira) - Sanzo apido (treble) x 20 notes, and Sanzo ababo (bass) x 22 notes.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
A speech
- Authors: Chief Bianoko , 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/10962/168413 , vital:41579 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0126-08
- Description: The chief made this speech to all the assembled dancers, musicians and people who replied with enthusiasm in the traditional manner. Responses with ivory horn.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Mbo I
- Authors: Chief Bianoko and Buudu men , 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/10962/168331 , vital:41567 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0126-01
- Description: This is a man's dance performed on festive occassions to celebrate a Chief's arrival or when the coffee has been harvested. The steps are very simple the whole group moving slowly around in a circle with the drums either in the centre or to one side. The notables wore attractive scarlet parrot tail feathers on their head of plaited palm leaf. The ivory was covered with several cat skins. These horns, beautifully carved out of elephant tusks are a notable feature of the material culture of this part of the Congo. They use the hollow end of the tusk, cutting it off at the nerve tip, so that the tip of the horn is open and can produce two notes. A special feature is the carefully carved broad mouthpiece on the inner side of the curve about one third of the length of the horn from the small end. The small end is often carved as a small human head. In playing the orifice is opened and closed with the thumb. Party dance, with 1 very small slit drum, 1 small slit drum 2 conical laced drums, 2 pod slit drums, ivory horn and basket rattles.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Mai-o-da
- Authors: Mosis, Magdalena, and Terasa (Mambuti women) , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Songs, Swahili , Mbuti (African people) , Swahili-speaking peoples , Pygmies , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Mbau-Mbili f-cg
- Language: Congo Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168169 , vital:41547 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0125-03
- Description: These songs were sung by three very small pygmy women all crouching on the ground close together. Their songs, it is said, asre composed mostly of vowel sounds or very simple words without much attempt to form a lyric. They were clothed only in a small strip of cloth each strung between the legs with each supported by a waist band of bark string. Each had a single string of beads around the neck and black markings were painted on their faces and necks. These songs, they said,could also be used as lullabies. At the end of the second and third items the bleat of a goat kid can be heard. Song after fishing.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Luma II
- Authors: Group of Mambuti Pygmies , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Songs, Swahili , Mbuti (African people) , Swahili-speaking peoples , Pygmies , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Mbau-Mbili f-cg
- Language: Congo Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168156 , vital:41546 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0125-02
- Description: The name of the village means "Two Trees". The end blown flutes were kept for the use of the Pygmies by the Bantu of the Nande tribe who live just outside the Ituri forest, but consider they have proprietary rights over the Mambuti and their activities whenever they come out to the edge of the forest, ordering them about like unpaid servants. This set of pipes, end blown flutes, appear to have been made by the Nande and not they Pygmies themselves. They cannot therefore be said with certainity to reflect the innate scale of the Mambuti but rather of the Nande. The embouchure is the shape commonly found in these districts being made by two cuts of the knife, one short (held against the lower lip) and one long. Dance tune. Ensemble of 10 Luma pipes, the second tune with two laced drums and rattles.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Manatobo kukwo – Night lullaby
- Authors: Mbuti women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Songs, Swahili , Mbuti (African people) , Swahili-speaking peoples , Pygmies , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Gombari f-cg
- Language: Congo Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168315 , vital:41564 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0125-20
- Description: This lullaby is sung at night but also at other times. Lullaby.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952