Ea Tuka (It burns)
- Authors: Malefetsane Mosese and large group of men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Maseru f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/162139 , vital:40763 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0105-12
- Description: "It is burning! An island is burning! Thaba Bosiu is burning! At the pass there are flames. Thaba Bosiu is burning. You will burn and burst into flames, you witches. You have left the son of God out on the veld. You will have to go back and fetch him. The island is burning!" The song refers to the wild storm which raged around the mountain Thaba Bosiu in 1957 which blew away the roof of a Church and did much damage to homes in the region. Although the song is an initiation song, it is couched in essentially Christian trems. Lengae men's initiation song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Atshakongwe wamwe muno kuwala kwawo (The women of this country all wear the same kind of dress)
- Authors: Five Nyasa men , 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 Likoma f-mw
- Language: Nyanja/Chewa
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/160804 , vital:40547 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR099-06
- Description: The drum was played with a stick in the left hand tapping on the side of the drum alternately with the head. The right hand kept up the rythm in the usual way. During this lively performnace the bottle player shattered his bottle into fragments, continuing to beat the neck of the beat which remained in his hand until that too disintegrated under the blows of the six inch nail. At the end of the first item the player dashed off to a nearby hut and produced the next best substitute, a new hoe blade. This recording was made by Nyasa workers at a Citrus Estate near Nelspruit, Eastern Transvaal. Party dance with double headed drum, concertina and bottle.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1957
Obw’omugabe Gasyonga II yagwara ekirunga
- Authors: Rusania and Nkole , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Music--Uganda , Nyoro (African people) , Nyankole (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Uganda Mbarara f-ug
- Language: Nyoro , Nyankole
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/169979 , vital:41844 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0134-03
- Description: Song sung at the installation of the present (1950) Mugabe as head of all the Ankole. Mugabe Gasyonga II. The manner in which this song is sung gives impression that both the style and the words belong to an era of Hima conquest, when the Nkole first came from the north. Installation of a Chief.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Arimau
- 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/10962/166797 , vital:41405 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0120-06
- Description: "We are the Tipoyi carriers of the Chief." This song was performed by the tipoyi carriers of Chief Ebandrombi. In this heavily wooded country of central and north eastern Congo most of the Chiefs, notables and officials use the sedanchair as their principal means of transport along the narrow forest paths. This is an attractive melody reminiscent of melodies composed by the Bemba of Northern Rhodesia which are also characterized by singing in parallel thirds. Work song with basket rattle.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Alume yerani malo
- Authors: Kanga Mayele with Giryama men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Giryama (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Malindi f-ke
- Language: Giryama
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176603 , vital:42719 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR162-10
- Description: The singer calls to those behind to hurry and catch up with the dance team as they are going to a big dance competition. This item is a fascinating example of the authentic 2 against 3 African cross rhythm. Msego dance song for men and women with Kayamba raft rattles and clapping (-12.03-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
KTang’oroki neirut olodwa airora
- Authors: Baiyani Medurek with Arusha men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Maasai (African people) , Songs, Maasai , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Arusha f-tz
- Language: Masai
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174104 , vital:42441 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR154-05
- Description: "The Germans are nothing to us. They were defeated by the English. We are not sleeping and will fight for our country. We love our country and our cattle." The Arusha tribe fought on several occasions against the Germans during their early occupation of Tanganyika. Different men take over the solo between the chorus refrains. Osingolio Longishu cattle song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Kalagala ebwembe
- Authors: Ntamivu za Kabaka , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Music--Uganda , Folk songs, Ganda , Ganda (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Uganda Kampala f-ug
- Language: Ganda
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170646 , vital:41945 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0137-06
- Description: The tune is based upon a song which says that Kalagala was a chief in Busoga who caught and killed the Kabaka's messengers. The Kabaka sent an army in return to destroy him and his people. Feeling has always run high between the Ganda and Soga peoples, the former living on the west and the latter on the east side of the river Nile where it emerges from Lake Victoria Nyanza. The approximate sizes of the drums were:- Ntamivu, big drum, 25 inches across, 37 inches tall. Naku, medium drum, c. 14 inch head, 19 inches tall. Njongo, small drum, c. 12 inch head, 17 inches tall. Tall laced drum. c. 10 inch head, 39 inches tall. The Naku (-14.22301-) was played with the hands, the others (-14.22303-) were played with beaters. The tall drum stood beside the very large Ntamivu and both were played by one man. The tuning of the xylophone was:- 776, 688, 608, 520, 456, 388, 344, 304, 260, 228, 194, 172 v.s. This gives intervals within the octave (from 344 to 172) of 214, 271, 227, 280 and 208 cents. Two instrumental tunes with loose note xylophone and 5 drums (-14.99-), laced, conical.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Ndege (The aircraft)
- Authors: James Matigo with Jita men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Kwaya (African people) , Jita (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Musoma f-tz
- Language: Kwaya , Jita
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175114 , vital:42541 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR157-19
- Description: The song concerns the famous 'Hurricane' fighter aircraft about which African soilders told accounts in praise ofits performance in the 1939-45 German war. It was composed by the soilders during the war and has been sung as a folk dance song since their return. The item was recorded at the Mwadui Williamson Diamond Mine where the men were employed. Marimba dance song for men and women, Marimba (Mbira) 12 notes.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Zagambayo mabilo mabilo (Run, Zagambayo, run)
- Authors: Thungu Giti with Sukuma men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Nyamwezi (African people) , Sukuma (African people) , Folk songs, Sukuma , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Nzega f-tz
- Language: Nyamwezi , Sukuma
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/173540 , vital:42382 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR151-13
- Description: Zagambayo had a friendly fight with another man in which it had been arranged that the loser should pay a cow. Zagambayo lost and was told to run and fetch his cow. The Nzega is the leaping dance action where the men leap into the air in time with the music. Puba dance song for men and women.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Nani mu khali
- Authors: Pancras Mkwawa , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Chaga (African people) , Hehe (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Iringa f-tz
- Language: Hehe
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174877 , vital:42517 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR156-10
- Description: "Who is the boldest man in the country? First the chief, and after him the elders. We must obey them all." The Hehe, like the Zulu in the south are given to heroic praises and laudatory songs. Heroic song with Ligombo 6 string trough zither.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Nkulagilienye omwaitu
- Authors: Norobeti Michaili with Haya boys , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Haya (African people) , Nyoro (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Bukoba f-tz
- Language: Nyoro , Haya
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172556 , vital:42219 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR146-09
- Description: A very simple song in which the chorus clap their hands turning them over, left over right, right over left, alternately. Katikomurweya Katisha dance songs for men and women, with metal cylindrical drum and clapping (-12.03).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Nandikulamude
- Authors: Madinda ga Kababa, xylophone players of the Lubili palace , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Music--Uganda , Folk songs, Ganda , Ganda (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Uganda Kampala f-ug
- Language: Ganda
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170682 , vital:41949 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0137-10
- Description: Tune based upon a traditional song. "I warn you that I have no power over the grave, now you are dead." Both this instrument and the other xylophone at the Lubili (palace) had been brought in from different parts of the country. They were both slightly out of the tune, it was said. The shape of the individual notes was interesting having two lugs protruding from the lower side to prevent the note from jumping out of place over the two banana stalk supports. The notes are kept in place laterally by their wands about 3 feet long which are sharpened and stuck into the soft stalks between each slat. 1248, 1120, 928, 832, 728, 624, 560, 464, 416, 364, 312, 280, 232, 208, 182, 156, 140. Instrumental tunes, with Madinda 17 note xylophone, loose notes on banana stalks, 3 players.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
He rea nyadiwa (We are despised)
- Authors: Serakalala Abotseng and group of 35 men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Tswana , Tswana (African people) , Ngwaketse (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Botswana Kanye f-bs
- Language: Tswana/Ngwaketse
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/162591 , vital:40953 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0108-12
- Description: "We are despised although we are despised. Were are the bullets fired when cattle are captured. Makau wee!" "Makau wee!" is a regimental shout. The official praise is known as Mmoki. Sung when returning from a lion hunt. The following Maboko were spoken in honour of Chief Bathoen II, the present Chief Magogodi Mmolaeatshephe (the man who kills a serpent), spoke the Chief's praises. Hunting song
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959
Ngodyongodyo
- Authors: Boys of Busoga College , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Music--Uganda , Soga (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Uganda Jinja f-ug
- Language: Soga
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171176 , vital:42027 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR140-03
- Description: "Oh, Ngodyongodyo, where is Kibate? what is this? Those are hornets. The hornets are stinging me. Let them sting you, please ask them to leave me; Hornets don't leave him." School song.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Kamwhino wa Mwikya
- Authors: Munyithya wa Kyenze , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk songs, Kamba , Kamba (African people) , Folk music--Kenya , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Machakos f-ke
- Language: Kamba
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175851 , vital:42630 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR160-04
- Description: The singer sings to his lost love. He reminds her that he loved her even before she grew up. He had asked her to speak to him, but she refused and used to speak to another. The singer uses his lute as a rhythmic rather than a melodic instrument. His voice appears to be pitched well above the instrument. His voice appears to be pitched well above the two basic notes of his lute, but the interval may bear some constant relationship which is not discernable to a foreign ear at first hearing. On the other hand the lute may be considered as a two note 'drone' to the melody. It will be noticed that the pitch of his lute slightly lower in this and the next song "Musenga." Love song, with Mbebe, one string, bowed lute.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Kuhiga
- Authors: Haya men and Jason the Chief's hunting dog , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Music--Uganda , Haya (African people) , Nyoro (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania / Uganda Kabale / Bukoba f-tz / f-ug
- Language: Nyoro , Haya
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171963 , vital:42143 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR144-08
- Description: This was a very cheerful demonstration of a hunting party with the sound of the bells which are attached to the dogs' collars of plaited leather. The dog, Jason, which belonged to the Chief Gabriel Lugabandana, joined in the recording with a right good will, and enjoyed the hunting cries by the men as they pretended to go otter hunting in the wooded marshes in the valleys near the lake. Hunting cry and song with bells and hunting horn.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
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
Ikulangamilaga kwilunde
- Authors: Mikengemalo Chaba with Sukuma men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Nyamwezi (African people) , Sukuma (African people) , Folk songs, Sukuma , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Mwadui f-tz
- Language: Nyamwezi
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/173331 , vital:42357 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR150-09
- Description: "The red necked cock looked up to the sky." The cutting of cicatrices on the face is accompanied by songs such as these, and by festivities and dancing. There is a local breed of fowls which have no feathers on their necks and very red skin. The song refers to a certain diviner who used to smear his face and neck with red earth. The people of the village can be heard chatting and laughing during the song, and a bird can be heard in the background of the second song. Ucheyeki song for cutting cicatrices.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Rwabazira
- Authors: Mahibo and Toro men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Music--Uganda , Nyoro (African people) , Nyankole (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Uganda Kamukuzi f-ug
- Language: Nyoro , Nyankole
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170254 , vital:41874 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0135-05
- Description: This praise, which both begins and ends with song, are frequently recited by men at parties. The subject of their adulation may be their host, their cattle or any subject gratifying their senses. Adulation of elders is part of the sycophantic social system common to many tribes and especially cattle owners. The practise of interspersing spoken praises between song is also found among the Sotho of Basutoland. The word Engabo means literally a brave man and these praises were originally intended to praise fighting men. Nowadays woth no fighting to be done the praises have been extended to any gratification and particularly of the 'Pombe' banana beer. Engabo praise, with conical drum. laced, single, played with hands and clapping.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Ba tsetse ka likepe
- Authors: Jane Mosese and large group of men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1959
- Subjects: Folk songs, Sotho , Sotho (African people) , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Lesotho Maseru f-lo
- Language: Sotho
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/162115 , vital:40760 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0105-10
- Description: "When you want to marry, choose a wife for yourself. Don't blame anybody for choosing one for you. They refuse to cross the Vaal river." Mohobelo dance song with stamping of feet.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1959