Kali Bili
- Authors: Njenje and Medje tipoyi carriers , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Medje f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:41406 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-07
- Description: "You think yourself very clever but I see through you inspite of it." A Tipoyi carrying song which is performed in humorous vein. The carriers of these light sedan chairs use a quick short step and kepp going by using attractive songs sung such as this. Work song with basket rattle.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Kutana bia
- Authors: Ngbandi men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Buta f-cg
- Language: Ngbandi
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166953 , vital:41422 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0121-08
- Description: These Ngombi Likembe (Mbira) are played with the instrument slung from the players shoulders. They are too large and heavy to be to be held between the hands as with the majority of this type and as a consequence the bamboo reeds or tongues are plucked downwards with the tips of the fingers with open palms. It is used as a rythmic rather than a melodic instrument. In our experience only the Pedi of the Northern Transvaal in South Africa play this instrument in a similar manner. The instrument is resonated on a large closed wooden bowl, oval in shape, 17 inches long and a tail 2 inches long. A triangular sound hole is cut into the flat top immediately beneath the free ends of the bamboo notes. It is tuned to a pentatonic scale of the following notes in order from left to right. 296, 148, 268, 134, 228, 200, 178, 256 vs. If 134 vs. is the Tonic, it would indicate thah the player is using both the true harmonc 4th (178 vs) and 5th (200 vs). The beating of the bamboo pole sounds almost like marching feet, and both this and the Ngombi are drowned by the strenght of the voices. Ngbandi dance with 2 Ngombi likembe with bamboo notes, and a long bamboo pole, beaten by several men.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Magi
- Authors: Njenje and Medje tipoyi carriers , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Medje f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166779 , vital:41403 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-03
- Description: "I have taken a wife, and she is very happy with me." Tipoyi song by carriers of Chief Ebandrombi, when they carry him in his sedan chair, made of very light poles and woven cane. Work song with basket rattle.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Makoto
- Authors: Barambo soilders and women , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Poko f-cg
- Language: Ngbandi
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166994 , vital:41427 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0121-13
- Description: No details of the instruments tuning were taken at the time except to note that they conformed to the usual likembe pattern, box body, bass notes central in the array, with a single low note to one side of the single manual. Dance tunes with 2 Likembe and a conical laced drum.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Masanga nyi maye
- Authors: Zayi Pierre and Bodagi Alias and Ngbandi men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Ubangi f-cg
- Language: Ngbandi
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166980 , vital:41425 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0121-11
- Description: "If ever I have a man out in prison I shall take him to the tribunal first." The tuning of bamboo notes is not easy as with metal notes on account of the nature of the overtones produced by bamboo. The tuning of these Ngombi Likembe was not quite the same as in the previous items, the reeds of bamboo from left to right was 236, 152, 212, 138, 200, 182, 166 and 332 vs. which gives a heptatonic scale:- 332, (304), (276), 236, 212, 200, 182, 166, 152, 138 vs. The top of this bowl shaped likembe was sewn onto the body which was made from a solid log hollowed out like a bowl with an 8" handle. The body was 21" broad and 7" deep. Topical song with Ngombi Likembe with bamboo notes.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Meria
- Authors: Ebogoma Gabriel , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Medje f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166833 , vital:41409 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-10
- Description: An attractive little falsetto song to a rippling accompaniment typical of the instrument. The tuning of the Neikembe was:- 640, 592, 528, 480, 432, 396, 360, 320, 264, 216 vs. The player was given a "Highly Commended" prize in the 1952 Osborn Awards for the best African musician of the year. Topical song with Neikembe likembe.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Meweritiriwe fwabobo
- Authors: Ngbanda Mandefu and Kumbazingi Louis , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Buta f-cg
- Language: Zande
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167021 , vital:41430 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0121-16
- Description: "What can I do to please the people who do not like me." These words are taken from a local popular song. This is a cheerful little tune with typical Zande lilt. The people sitting nearyby began to sing to the second tune which is a well known piece in that village. The tuning of the Isanzo was pentatonic, the scale being 624, 536, 448, 392, 328, 292, 268, 224, 196, 164 vs. The player said he was not able to sing and play at the same time. Tune played on Isanzo likembe (Mbira) of 10 notes.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Midebina vungu kwato
- Authors: Bakia Pierre , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Buta f-cg
- Language: Zande/Bandiya
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167382 , vital:41474 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0122-07
- Description: "I made this song for a friend who was not my brother." The tuning of the harp was:- 352, 324, 288, 240, 220 vs. Ngbanda Mandefu, the other harp player, a tall bearded man got up and danced in a style reminiscent of a Cossack dance, snapping his fingers and stamping now and then. Bakia Pierre is a large quietly spoken man who works in a Portuguese butchers shop in the small town of Buta. His songs were greeted with great applause and satisfaction by his fellow Zande in the circle. Topical song, with vertical angular Kundi harp, 5 strings.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Moyanbule wa madile dumayo
- Authors: Ngbanda Mandefu and Kumbazingi Louis , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Buta f-cg
- Language: Ngbandi
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167007 , vital:41428 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0121-14
- Description: "You possessed me the day you married." The tuning of the Isanzo was pentatonic, the scale being 624, 536, 448, 392, 328, 292, 268, 224, 196, 164 vs. The player said he was not able to sing and play at the same time. Tune played on Isanzo likembe (Mbira) of 10 notes.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Mugoi asole
- Authors: Mulapala Kpeli, with Chief Gatanga, Mongonika and Zande men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Buta f-cg
- Language: Zande/Bandiya
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167322 , vital:41468 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0122-03
- Description: "There was a man who loved Mugai, daughter of a Chief and wanted to marry her. But she refused him. So he came weeping and knelt before her saying, "My Princess, why will you not love me? If you marry me I will be your servitor and care for you. I will even take the jigger fleas out of your feet." The tuning of the harp includes five notes of a pentatonic scale, the octave above the tonic being omitted. These Zande harp songs seem to slide into an informal start, the singers taking their time into the swing of the melody. Topical song, vertical angular Kundi harp, 5 strings.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Musala
- Authors: Ndolomu Mopamu , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Medje f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166935 , vital:41420 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0121-06
- Description: "The Chief wants me to work! The commandant wants me to work! The notables want me to work! The Europeans want me to work! Madam tells me to work! The doctor tells me to work! Everyone wants me to work! Drinking song with Nenjenje lute, two strings.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Nadu
- Authors: Medje men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Medje f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166752 , vital:41400 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-01
- Description: The Nadu dance is performed in a straight line. The Medje names of the instruments were:- Conical drum - Nabita, large bell drum - Nedundu, Slit drum - Nekbokbo, Pod drum - Emandru, Double metal bell - Nenbongbo, Basket rattle - Nezeza. The Medje have earned for themselves a reputation for singing and dancing. The steps of their dances are simple but most effective en masse. Marriage dance with 4 conical laced drums, 1 large bell slit drum, 2 pod slit drums, 2 small slit drums, 1 double metal bell, 1 metal hand bell and 6 basket rattles.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Nakatiye
- Authors: Oboto Sukuma , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Medje f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166890 , vital:41415 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0121-01
- Description: Only one of the two strings of this lute is stopped, the other being used as a kind of drone. A very simple five note accompaniment is possible by this means, from the open string with three stopped notes together with the drone. A bent piece of midrib from a fowl's father is fixed at the far end of the string to act as a buzzer when the string in vibration strikes against it. This stopped lute is found occasionally all the way from this district southwards to the Zambezi, though very rare in the north. What its distribution my be further north and west unknown at present. Both words and instrumental accompaniment are clearly heard in this recording. Topical song with Nenjenje lute, two strings.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Nautu
- Authors: Medje men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Medje f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166761 , vital:41401 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-02
- Description: The song is performed during the initiation ceremony at the moment when the initiates are ready for the officiant. The Medje tribe is one of the group of peoples associated with the Mangbetu. This group became the overlords of the area and their culture dominated the countryside. The style of singing resembles slightly that of the Luvale of the Southern Congo, although there is no connection between them. Circumcision song and dance with 4 conical drums, 1 large bell drum, 2 pod drums, 2 small slit drums, 1 double metal bell, 6 basket rattles, and 1 metal hand bell.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Nemangolia
- Authors: Ebogoma Gabriel , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Medje f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166822 , vital:41408 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-09
- Description: The singer learnt to play the Neikembe in 1945 at Medje. Both tunes have attractive simple little accompaniments, ideal for this kind of song. The tuning of the Neilembe from left to right. First tuning:- 640, 528, 432, 320, 264, 216, 396, 480, 592, 720. 360. Second tuning:- 800, 608, 488, 324, 276, 244, 400, 544, 656, 712, 364. Topical song with Neikembe, box resonated Likembe.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Nemegye
- Authors: Oboto Sukuma , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Medje f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166906 , vital:41417 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0121-03
- Description: The singer who appears to be over the age of 60 is a renowned performer in this district. The audience thoroughly enjoyed his wit, though without an interpreter available its substance was not disclosed. The singer appears to use a few Swhaili words in the earlier verses of 'Nemegye'. Topical song with Nenjenje lute, two strings.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Nemejolia
- Authors: Oboto Sukuma , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Medje f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166917 , vital:41418 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0121-04
- Description: The singer who appears to be over the age of 60 is a renowned performer in this district. The audience thoroughly enjoyed his wit, though without an interpreter available its substance was not disclosed. The singer appears to use a few Swhaili words in the earlier verses of 'Nemegye'. Topical song with Nenjenje lute, two strings.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Nenemegyeti
- Authors: Oboto Sukuma , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Medje f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166898 , vital:41416 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0121-02
- Description: Only one of the two strings of this lute is stopped, the other being used as a kind of drone. A very simple five note accompaniment is possible by this means, from the open string with three stopped notes together with the drone. A bent piece of midrib from a fowl's father is fixed at the far end of the string to act as a buzzer when the string in vibration strikes against it. This stopped lute is found occasionally all the way from this district southwards to the Zambezi, though very rare in the north. What its distribution my be further north and west unknown at present. Both words and instrumental accompaniment are clearly heard in this recording. Topical song with Nenjenje lute, two strings.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Nenjenje
- Authors: Ndolomu Mopamu , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Medje f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166922 , vital:41419 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0121-05
- Description: "My wife I am feeling happy today so I want to sing and make very nice music." Topical song with Nenjenje lute, two strings.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Nenye angupu
- Authors: Medje men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Mangbetu , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Medje f-cg
- Language: Mangbetu
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166770 , vital:41402 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-02
- Description: "We honour our Chief, we are ready for him to inspect our work." The song is performed when Chief arrives in a village on a visit. The Medje tribe in a fertile palm forest region south of the small town of Paulis. The music is strangely reminiscent of that of the Bemba from the South Eastern borders of the Congo and Northern Rhodesia a thousand miles away. Praise song for a Chief with 4 conical drums, 1 large bell drum, 2 pod drums, 1 small cylindrical drum, 2 small slit drums, 1 double metal bell, basket rattles and metal hand bell.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952