Ba mo loile
- Authors: Mamojela Letsipa, Mahanyane Rakaki, James Mofokeng and 5 women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161056 , vital:40586 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0101-07
- Description: Much of the divining ceremonial seems to follow the Xhosa pattern from which it appears to be borrowed. One girl beats a small frame drum made of metal. Some of the phrases used in the divining procedure are Xhosa such as "Siyavuma". "They have bewitched him. The child of the gods. Mahayane has been bewitched. Ntate Sekhobe has been bewitched. Ntate Ntsopa has been bewitched." This song was followed by a Lithoko in praise of the singer. After the Lithoko the same song was repeated, followed by another Lithoko in which further reference was made to the singer, who she was and how she had been cured by another Lethuela (diviner) when she was ill. Mathuela, diviner's dance song, with small drum (-14.03-), frame drum (-14.92-) and clapping (-12.03-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Ei, ei, ei, ngoana oa l-la (Ei, ei, ei, the child cries)
- Authors: Agnes Lekhoti and Nuku Lesoetsa , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/160957 , vital:40573 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0101-01
- Description: "Ei, Ei, Ei, the child cries and stops. I went to Mpharane and found my friends child ill. I went out and prayed, then I took a pick and went up the mountain." "The Monakaladi plant of Thabana Morena. If you eat it, you will have cracked feet." Lullaby.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Ha Molelle (At Molelle)
- Authors: Masipiriti Lekhopa and group of women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161195 , vital:40601 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0102-05
- Description: Women's Mokhibo knee dance with clapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
He Khalumo-lumo (He! The Khalumo-lumo)
- Authors: Mamojela Letsipa, Mahanyane Rakaki, James Mofokeng and 5 women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161048 , vital:40585 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0101-06
- Description: Sung by the chief woman diviner, assisted by both a man and a woman diviner and group of women, all of whom clapped. The assistant woman diviner beat a smal drum slung round her neck. "He, the Khalumo-lumo. It ate a whole nation and left a small boy." This refers to an old Sotho legend. The small boy grew up to be the saviour of his race. Many snares were laid for him from which he escaped. Mathuela, diviner's dance song, with small drum (-14.03-), frame drum (-14.92-) and clapping (-12.03-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Hela Banana (Hey! Girls!)
- Authors: Mamojela Letsipa, Mahanyane Rakaki, James Mofokeng and group of women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161137 , vital:40595 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0101-14
- Description: "Hey! girls, the reaping machine is making a noise. At sunrise I reap. Mother Matabo, men, Father Manyetse. At sunrise, at Koali's village. Mother Matholoana, the Chieftainess." The song is interspersed with Lithoko and exhortations to throw away medicines and charms. Mathuela diviner's song with small drum (-14.03-), frame drum (-14.92-) and clapping (-12.03-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Helele! Masupha
- Authors: Mapaballo Mabusane and group of women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161186 , vital:40600 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0102-04
- Description: What do you people say I should do at home? Masupha says we shall bear children anyhow! (promisclously) Masupha has allowe us. Women's Mokhibo knee dance with clapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Ho ba bacha (To the youth)
- Authors: Men of Koali's village , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161167 , vital:40598 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0102-02
- Description: "Matholoana, feed us and make us fat. Koali, the foundation of Masupha's kraal. The second chief to Motlalentoa! Spears! Where are you going? We, Makoali's people are weeping. We, Makoali's people are hungry. Habofanoe, feed us so that we may grow fat. We Matabele, are also your people." The name 'Matabele' is used by the Sotho to indicate any people who are not Sotho, notably the Nguni group of peoples. A number of Nguni have settled among the Sotho in small groups attaching themselves to the local chieftainships. This song was interrupted by several very long Lithoko praises with whistling and ululation accompanied by the men and women sitting around. The considerable length of the praises is not found tedious by the people rather the reverse. They are facinated by the flow of words. Mokorotlo riding song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Kob'a ntja (The blanket made of dog skin)
- Authors: Mamojela Letsipa, Mahanyane Rakaki, James Mofokeng and group of women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161127 , vital:40594 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0101-13
- Description: Note the interesting change in the middle of the song. "O Mother! She is wearing a dog's skin blanket. The people despise her. They want me in the cool places, where the Dhlamini live. I am not a Zulu. I am a 'Portuguese'. I, Maboshabane, speak. I speak with a sore heart. I tell you, I am suffering from a stomach-ache. Come and cure me." The singer could not explain the reference to being a 'Portuguese'. African tribesmen who come from the Portuguese territory of Mozambique often refer to themselves as 'Portuguese', i.e. a citizen of Portuguese territory. Mathuela diviner's song with small drum (-14.03-), frame drum (-14.92-) and clapping (-12.03-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Kunyete (Girls dresses)
- Authors: Jacquot Mokete , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161117 , vital:40593 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0101-12
- Description: The player placed an empty condensed milk tin picked up off the ground nearby, over the free end of the harmonica, vibrating it to and from as far as his mouth position would allow, thus producing not only greater resonance to his own ear but a vibrato as well. Self delectative song, with harmonica.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Lithoko (Praises)
- Authors: Makopo Macheli and John Mahase , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161213 , vital:40603 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0102-07
- Description: The first speaker spoke shortly his own personal praises. The second spoke the praises of the late Morena Tumaole Koali Masupha, husband of the present 'Regent'. These Lithoko were followed by Tlala performed by various men who dashed out leaping and exclaiming. In Basutoland several widows of various chiefs act as 'Chief' or 'Deputy' during the minority of their sons who will eventually become chief of the clan. This, they say, is unusual but was made necessary by the endless factions and jealousies perpetrated by the near relatives of the dead chief in the hope pf takin over the chieftainship illegally. Praise song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Lithoko tsa hae (Praise for himself)
- Authors: James Mofokeng , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161204 , vital:40602 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0102-06
- Description: These praises were personal and referred to the speaker and opened the divining procedure which follwed. The small group of diviners was composed of a man and two women all wearing theri traditional diviners costume and beads. The older woman wore a skin cap, the younger one's long dress was of cloth treated with red ochre and lightly embroidered and decorated with white beads. Praise song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Litsoanya I (A nice song)
- Authors: Julius Mochekoana and Leboea March , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161086 , vital:40589 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0101-09
- Description: This is herdboys' music and the accompanying noises are the kind made by herdsmen to their cattle. Self delectative song with Lesiba stick zither.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Litsoanya II (A nice song)
- Authors: Julius Mochekoana and Leboea March , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161091 , vital:40590 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0101-10
- Description: This is herdboys' music and the accompanying noises are the kind made by herdsmen to their cattle. Self delectative song with Lesiba stick zither.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Marumo (Spears)
- Authors: Makopo Macheli and group of about 12 men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161148 , vital:40596 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0102-01
- Description: In the Lithoko following the song the speaker used the phrase: "Whe spring kisses the summer" a typical poetic phrase, they say characteristic of Lithoko praises. This Mokorotlo was accompanied by a slow and stately stamping dance, raising the legs slowly upwards, then with a bend of the knee they bring the foot back under the body and stamp. Mokorotlo riding song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Mocholoko (The novice)
- Authors: Mokoto Tsoeliane and group of Koali men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161177 , vital:40599 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0102-03
- Description: The Mohobelo dance is most typical of all Sotho dances and is notable for its sinous striding actions which are accompanied by rhythmic hissing and by stamping. The dance songs are performed by the spectators and not the dancers. There are frequently two or three movements or routines in a Mohobelo, a slow entry and dance, follwed by a fast leaping movement and frequently by a third slow routine. Each is given a local mane, often the name of the district of origin. Mohobelo men's dance with stamping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Noh'a Metsi (Water snake)
- Authors: Agnes Nchanyana. 4 assistants and group of women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161222 , vital:40604 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0102-08
- Description: The leader does a shaking dance on her knees as she sings "Water snake! it comes out the east and it is very angry." The singer, in addition to her diviner's beads, shells, bells and small antelope horns, wore a large Catholic rosary with a worn medal of the Sacred heart, knotted into her girdle. Her scarlet skirt was thickly embroidered with designs in white beads. The adoption of Catholic symbols by pagans for their divination rites is common in nominally Catholic countries, especially by Black Africans (originally referred to as Negroes at the time) who use them in their Voodoo ceremonies. Diviners' song with cylindrical drum (-14.03-) and frame drum (-14.92-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Piroena eo ke e bireng (The language I speak)
- Authors: Relechate Ntsolo and Jacquot Mokete , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161002 , vital:40579 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0101-04
- Description: "This language I speak, you speak without knowing it. In the battle of tongues, I should have been a lawyer. The language which is widely understood. You should have made holes in the mountains, so that I could go in and see the country between Natal and Aooeng. And the land between Winburg and Bloemfontein." "Aooeng" means 'the place where people say Aooeng'. i.e. the Eastern Free State, a reference to their mode of speech or dialect. Walking song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Sekupu ! (Drums)
- Authors: Lesole Motsoari, 3 diviners and a group of women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161028 , vital:40583 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0101-05
- Description: The leader shook his shoulders and body during the song, which movement can be heard in his voice. "Drums!" "At Sione they caught a baboon with long hair Maupha's anger! It is father - boy - (untranslatable). Their anger!. It is father 'Manyetse' (long hair). I am the baby boy." Chorus "Siyavuma." The speaker ends each line with the word "Khanya" (light). The frame drum had crossed wires at the back which were used to hold the drum in the left hand. Both drums were of metal and the usual membrane, they say, is either cow or horse hide. Mathuela, diviner's dance song, with small drum (-14.03-), frame drum (-14.92-) and clapping (-12.03-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Sutha tseleng (Get out of the way)
- Authors: Jacquot Mokete , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161104 , vital:40592 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0101-11
- Description: "Get out of the way. Don't be frightened by gossip, girls, gossip is always a storm in a village. Don't change your abode just because somebody says he loves you. You will find people like that wherever you go. A woman is a dog for whom everybody wants to die." The last line seems to mean that just as an owner is ready to die for his dog should anyone molest it, so a man is ready to die for a woman should she be attacked. The player placed an empty condensed milk tin picked up off the ground nearby, over the free end of the harmonica, vibrating it to and from as far as his mouth position would allow, thus producing not only greater resonance to his own ear but a vibrato as well. Self delectative song, with harmonica.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Thota peli na Molapo (The rolling downs of Molapo)
- Authors: Group of 20 women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Berea f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161066 , vital:40588 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0101-08
- Description: The soloist rises in pitch throughout the song. "Rolling downs of Molapo. Mokale and Khethisa are quarreling over the spring at Nkala. Horses are saddled. Who is the mother of the unmarried girl? Giver her a letter, Makamore, the marriage letter. There is a fight at the rolling downs. Horses should be saddled. They are going to Maseru. The worst singer is Raphane's mother. I shouted with a sad voice. I shouted and shook the graves. Women's party song with clapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959