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
Nakidema changu kake juma
- Authors: Simai Bini Ali with Swahili men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk music--Tanzania , Swahili-speaking peoples , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Zanzibar f-tz
- Language: Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179902 , vital:43247 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR171-03
- Description: This short song is used for waking up the people for their last meal-the second of the night during the fast of Ramadhan. The singers go around singing and playing the drum at about 1-2 a.m. It is a picturesque Swahili/Mohammedan custom. The to membranes of the bass drum are tuned to different notes. Kigoma cha daku songs, with 2 tin rattles, 1 double-sided bass drum.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Song after moving camp
- Authors: Moke with Mbuti 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 Gombari f-cg
- Language: Congo Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168282 , vital:41560 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0125-16
- Description: When the pygmies have moved camp to a new place and have finished making their houses they settle down round the fire and sing this song.
- 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
Hayo ni maradhi (Chaupela mpenzi)
- Authors: Chipukizi Rumba , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk music--Tanzania , Swahili-speaking peoples , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Mwanza f-tz
- Language: Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179613 , vital:43124 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR170-07
- Description: A typical local band from the African quarter of any Tanganyika townships of the early 1950's. Nobody plays quite in tune but that does not worry the audiences or more especially the players themselves. They pick up their melodies from each other and from gramphone records and a dozen or more variations of the same song can be found throughout the country. Swahili Rumbas with 2 Banjos, 1 Mandoline, 2 bass drums, 1 conical drum, laced, 2 kazoos, 2 whistles and a flute.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Hadithi ya charahani (The story of the tailor's shop)
- Authors: Ramadhani Fataki and Saidi Salum Nana , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk music--Tanzania , Swahili-speaking peoples , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Tabora f-tz
- Language: Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179865 , vital:43242 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR170-13
- Description: How a tailor was asked to make a special coat for an important customer and what he did for him in the way of a magnificent coat with several arms and a buibui veil. The teller of the story is himself a tailor in Tabora. Humorous sketches, with a mandoline and Udi.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
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
Moyo maowu sifate
- Authors: Saadani Abdu Kandoro , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk music--Tanzania , Swahili-speaking peoples , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Kigoma f-tz
- Language: Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179433 , vital:43063 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR169-07
- Description: "My heart, do not follow evil." The poets who compose and recite Mashairi are very conscious of their high purpose. It is interesting to see the African mind unfolding in this Arab art form, and using the poem for moral teaching. Mashairi sung poems
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
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
Manatobo kukwo – Day 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/10962/168309 , vital:41563 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0125-19
- Description: When the song is sung, they say, any time during the day. Lullaby.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Veru
- Authors: Albert Lokwa na Jarimo , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Zande , Alur (African people) , Swahili-speaking peoples , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Mahagi f-cg
- Language: Zande/Vongara
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168033 , vital:41533 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0124-05
- Description: The instruments played by the Alur are typical of the Congo family of Likembe, or box Mbira. The Alur are one of the great Luo groups of tribes and are found both in Uganda and North East Congo. These two Likembe are an octave apart and sound very well played together, though the singing in the first song is crude in comparison with the delicacy of the accompaniment. The song 'Ndiri' with its brilliant accompaniment was so striking that I recorded it a second time to see what variations the players would employ. Both editions are reproduced on this disc for close comparision. The treble Likembe is called Natine and the bass Minu an octave lower. Topical song with Likembe and a struck stick.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Mahaba, jamani, yananiatile
- Authors: Egyptian musical club , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk music--Tanzania , Swahili-speaking peoples , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Dar-es-Salaam f-tz
- Language: Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179523 , vital:43074 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR169-15
- Description: Abbas Haji was the singer of this song composed by the gifted player Bom Amberon. "I am distrought with love, I can neither see by day nor sleep by night. In whom shall I confide my two years' longing. Who will tell me how my heart might find repose. Love song, with 2 Udi, 1 Cello, 1 mandoline, 1 Dambak, 1 Kayamba rattle, and 3 violas.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
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
Irimba variations
- Authors: Hasani Bin Mariye , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk music--Tanzania , Swahili-speaking peoples , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Zanzibar f-tz
- Language: Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179974 , vital:43285 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR171-11
- Description: A pretty little instrument of Makua origin from the northern end of Mozambique, one of many brought into Zanzibar by migrant labourers. The instrument is unlike most Mbira in that the metal notes are bent at right angles and pierced into the body of the reasoning box at one end, thus doing away with the neccessity for straining bar and bridge. The notes must therefore be tuned by filing and not as with other Mbira by lengthening or shortening. Irimba solo with Irimba x 7 notes
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Hindu yamsegesa
- Authors: Mzee Juma with Shirazi men , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk music--Tanzania , Swahili-speaking peoples , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Zanzibar f-tz
- Language: Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179956 , vital:43256 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR171-09
- Description: "The shakingdance." Most instruments of this kind are brought to the island of Zanzibar by migrant labourers. It was known what tribal orign the Kidebe may have had. Ndebe dance song with Kidebe Mbira and Kayambi tin rattle.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Safari ya Baraka
- Authors: Ombiza Charles , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Folk songs, Zande , Alur (African people) , Swahili-speaking peoples , Folk music , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Stanleyville f-cg
- Language: Zande/Vongara
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168064 , vital:41537 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR0124-08
- Description: "The successful journey when everything went right, my business affairs flourished, my friends were pleased to see me and I had no mishaps on the way and returned safely." In 1952 Ombiza Charles was one of the leading guitar players and singers in Stanleyville. They had copied the style of playing introduced from Angola through Leopoildvile and every tune they employed they called a 'rumba'. This professional group of performers was called Oroclos. 'Rumba' topical song, with guitar, bottle and friction stick.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952
Swaluu-Alah maachini-l-imaan II
- Authors: Watoto wa Madrasa el-Hasanain , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk music--Tanzania , Swahili-speaking peoples , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Dar-es-Salaam f-tz
- Language: Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179491 , vital:43070 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR169-12
- Description: All items on this disc are included as example of the African adoptation of Arabic styles of music on the coast. This choice is composed of 12 young Swahili boys with a man soloist (el-ustadh) and three teachers playing the "duff" tambourines. Arabic and the lingua franca, Swahili, are part of the inheritance of all the coast dwellers and on the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba. It is interesting to note how easily these African born Swahili children appear to adopt Arabic music with far greater facility that the efforts of most African children to sing European songs Kasida, Moslem Religious chants, with 3 Duff frame drums (tambourines).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
Dezi kanambia
- Authors: Ramadhani Fataki (Udi), Saidi Salum Nana (Mandoline) and Tatu Binti Jama , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk music--Tanzania , Swahili-speaking peoples , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Mwanza f-tz
- Language: Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179622 , vital:43126 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR170-08
- Description: The Arab influence is still strong up country particularly along the old Arab trading routes. All the seven items on this side of the disc represent an evening's entertainment spent with a Mohamedan Swahili family in Tabora whose taste in music leans towrds the Arab side of the family than the African. Two close friends who frequently play together in the evenings recorded these items. The wife of one of them provides some of the solos. They are typical, no doubt, of a musical evening at home by Swahili players anywhere in East Africa. All the items were recorded in the small sitting room of their Swahili home. The men singers sat around a table in the light of a parafin lamp and their veiled wwomefolk sat on mats in the adjoining rooms, watching through the doorways. Topical Taarab song, with 1 Udi, 1 Mandoline and 1 Duff tambourine drum (-14.91-).
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950
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
Dua
- Authors: Kaluta Amir Bin Abedi , Hugh Tracey
- Date: 1950
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Folk music--Tanzania , Swahili-speaking peoples , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Tanzania Kigoma f-tz
- Language: Swahili
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/179400 , vital:43060 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa , TR160-04
- Description: "I seek refuge with the Lord. That I may be safe from the troublesome one who whispers in the heart. The devil who is stoned." The poet and reciter (Staharaki) is a moslem missionary and is headmaster of the Moslem school at Tabora. Mashairi sung poems
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1950