Boyoka Malinga
- 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/10962/168458 , vital:41584 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0126-12
- Description: This tune is also an attempt to transpose a popular guitar tune well known in Southern Congo and elsewhere onto the Likembe (Mbira) of the district or vice versa. This is made possible by the fact that locally the Bira tribe uses a heptatonic scale. Duet on the Likembe, (Mbira) - Sanzo apido (treble) x 20 notes, and Sanzo ababo (bass) x 22 notes.
- 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
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
Chelewa
- 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/10962/168477 , vital:41586 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0126-14
- Description: "I want to marry Chelewa, nut Chelewa refuses. Now I am forlorn. Topical song with Sanzo Apido Likembe (Mbira), 12 notes (treble).
- 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
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 II
- 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/10962/168343 , vital:41570 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0126-02
- Description: The Buudu is one of the north Eastern Congo Bantu tribes which makes good use of slit drums of groups, both for sending signals and for dances. The largest of these are frequently found roughly shaped like an antelope with head, tail and legs protruding from the body of the drum, carved out of a single log. The almost mechanical exactness of the performance of these five men in typically African strict tempo is quite remarkable, dull perhaps to the outsider who does not participate, but highly conducive of the motoe-reaction of the dancers. Drum rhythm, tall slit drum shaped like an animal, 2 pod drums, 2 small slit drums.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Aiba mange kimiango
- 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/10962/168404 , vital:41578 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0126-07
- Description: This Buudu tribe is said to have come across the savanna along the northern edge of the great tropical Ituri forest from the Ruwenzori mountains in the east to this present locality in north central Congo. On their way they are said to have become much influenced by the Mbuti Pygmies, several of their songs and dances closely resembling those of the dwarfs. Their pet name for the pygmies in Batikitiki. Party song with two pod drums, two slit drums, two conical laced drums, ivory horn and basket rattles.
- 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
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
Akakalu Babini
- Authors: Chief Bianoko and Buudu men and women , 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/10962/168395 , vital:41577 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0126-06
- Description: The large Igogo deja was carved out of a single log and shaped like an antelope. It was 43" tall, the body 52" long, the tail 28" and the head 33". It was 42 and half wide, a total of 9 foot 5 and a quater inches long from tip to tail. The four legs were 10" tall, carrying the triangular sectioned body, sounding two notes, 56 and 48vs. one from either flank. The wooden 'slit drums' are in reality wooden gongs from which two or more tones can be produced according to the position of the blow. The two sides of the slit usually record two distinct tones when hit near the mouth of the slit. Blows in this position appear to be those usually employed when sending messages or signals. For dancing, lighter tones can be produced by striking the upper ends of the drum, and deeper notes by hitting low down on the body of the drum nearer the waist. This recording is of a part only of the dance already in progress. Dance with large Igogo deja slit drum and 2 small Igogo tade slit drums.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Hi-e mungwe
- 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/10962/168374 , vital:41574 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0126-05
- 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
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
The elephant 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/10962/168214 , vital:41552 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0125-08
- 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
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
Luma I
- 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/10962/168151 , vital:41545 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0125-01
- 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
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
The Honey Harvest
- Authors: Group of Mbuti Pygmy 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/10962/168196 , vital:41550 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0125-06
- Description: These pygmies who live in the South Eastern part of the Ituri forest, North of the small town of Beni are of the Mbuti tribe. They are small light coloured men, good looking and diginified in their bearing, far more so than the Nande, a neighbouring Bantu tribe which exploits their activities in hunting and honey gathering, frequently taking from them by force or right more than half of what they catch or gather. Instantly, at the sound of these pipes which they also play for dances the small men threw up their heads and with lips extended as if making the sound "oo" produced yodells or other notes far more powerful than one would expect from ones so small. Yodelling song, the second with sticks.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
The Honey Harvest
- Authors: Group of Mbuti Pygmy 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/10962/168205 , vital:41551 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0125-07
- Description: These pygmies who live in the South Eastern part of the Ituri forest, North of the small town of Beni are of the Mbuti tribe. They are small light coloured men, good looking and diginified in their bearing, far more so than the Nande, a neighbouring Bantu tribe which exploits their activities in hunting and honey gathering, frequently taking from them by force or right more than half of what they catch or gather. Instantly, at the sound of these pipes which they also play for dances the small men threw up their heads and with lips extended as if making the sound "oo" produced yodells or other notes far more powerful than one would expect from ones so small. Yodelling song, the second with sticks.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Pygmy dance I
- 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/10962/168241 , vital:41555 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0125-11
- 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