Podcast: Digging in the African Sound Archive
A Podcast on the value of historical recordings
by Luis Gimenez Amoros
Digging in the African Sound archive offers is a valuable contribution to African music historically and at present. In this podcast, African scholars and musicians reconsider the value of historical recordings found at the International Library of African Music in our societies. This podcast becomes a unique space to learn about African music by local voices from fifteen African countries where the sound archive recorded music from the 1920s to the 1970s.
I wish to all the listeners a great musical journey along different regions of the African continent.
01. "He ga re a nnwa ke nKgana," (1959, Botswana) "We men have a big pot of beer." (drinking song)
01 "He ga re a nnwa ke nKgana," (1959, Botswana) "We men have a big pot of beer." Drinking song.
Gomolemo Mojaki (HOD, School of Music at Tlokweng College of Education, Botswana) is a teacher–trainer of music in Southern Botswana and ethnomusicologist with a Master of Music degree from Rhodes University in RSA. Gomolemo reconsiders the information on this drinking song. Were they joking with Mr Tracey? The song is performed by a large group of men led by Rautana Dinake in Kanye, Bangwaketse Reserve, Botswana.
02. "Shangara" (1949, Zimbabwe) Drinking song with Njari (Mbira).
Dr Perminus Matiure wasbrought up in a mbira playing family, he started playing mbira at the age of 12 and later studied mbira at the Masters and Ph.D. levels. He is the founder member of a contemporary mbira ensemble called "Zvirimudeze". Dr Matiure (Ethnomusicology Senior Lecturer, University of Namibia) introduces how the njari is a type of mbira that was popularized in Zimbabwe and slowly disappeared during the last 50 years. Matiure emphasizes how different languages used to be combined in Gweru (Shona and Ndebele). This song is performed by Manyoni Wanyamande and his wife in Gweru, Zimbabwe.
03. "Malcomere" (1952, Kenya) with Itungu long lyre ankle bells and gourd rattle
Antony Osome is a communication and film scholar with extensive experience in audio-visual production, development communication, and behavior change communication. He has served as a junior lecturer and early-career researcher, focusing on emerging storytelling trends in contemporary rural African contexts. Osome offers a great insight abut songs from Bunyore in Kenya. This song is performed by Joshua Omwami in Bunyore, Kakamega district, Kenya.
04. "Ungungunyana" (1955, South Africa). Songs with Makhweyana bow
Dr Dlamini provides an insightful introduction to bow music and how the song “Ungungunyana” is unique in its repertoire moving from love songs to historical and personal events. The song is performed by Son of Chief Mhlolutini, Nganzakwerye Shandu at Mahlabatini District, KwaZulu Natal. S. Africa. In Tracey´s notes, he asserts that Ngungunyana is the name of the famous Shangaan captain who led the Tsonga people of Mozambique in the war against the Portuguese during the latter half of the last century. He was eventually defeated at the battle of Magul near the lnco rnati River, on Sept. 8th, 1895.
05. "Mugasha" (1950, Tanzania) The Legend of the Spirit of the Lake
Dr. Emmanuel Lwankomezi is a Lecturer in the department of Geography at St. Augustine University of Tanzania. He holds a PhD in environmental studies from the Open University of Tanzania, specializing in wildlife governance, conservation and environmental justice. Dr Lwankomezi introduces the listener to musical culture of the Haya. The song is performed by Habib Bin Seliman with Nanga and someone else on zither. In Tracey´s field cards, he mentions that Seliman tells the locally well known legend of the Lake Victoria Nyanza.
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06. "Abatuga abagalana" (1950, Uganda) and "Aha Seveni abada" (1950, Uganda)
Albert Bisaso Ssempeke is a Ugandan international performing artist and is the son of the former royal court musician of the former Kabaka (king) Muteesa the second of Buganda. Albert currently resides in Kampala, Uganda. In this podcast, Albert Bisaso Ssempeke introduces the music of the Bugandan court historically and at present. These songs are performed by Zakaria Kasasa and 'Endongo za Baganda' composed of the Endongo bowl lyre with 8 strings, Ndingidi one string bowed lute, and one Ntenga conical drum in Kampala, Uganda.
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07. "Tang'oroki neirut olodwa airora" (1950, Tanzania) and "Tamanaiyo angare nanyoki" (1950, Tanzania)
William Kikanae Ole Pere, leader of the Maasai community in Maasai Mara Kenya has played a key role in many cultural and educational projects for his community. In this podcast, William provides a great introduction to some of the Maasai historical recordings recorded by ILAM in the Maasai Tanzanian side but equally performed in Maasai Mara. The song is performed and led by Baiyani Medurek and a group of men in Arusha Baraza, Arusha district, Tanzania.
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08. „Mai vandoswere piko“ (1951, Zimbabwe) with Chipendani
Edgar Bera (mbira maker and BA Ethnomusicology at University of Cape Town)Edgar Bera is an accomplished mbira player and mbira maker. He has conducted in-depth research on mbira making and mbira History since 2004. Edgar Bera questions the importance of the song to communicate and how it leads to precolonial narratives of Zimbabwean music. This song is performed by Muchabaiwa and two others at Marandellas District in Zimbabwe.
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09. "Ligari" (1950, Kenya): Topical song, with Sihilili 2 string lute and piece of Iron
King'asia Mamati is a PhD Student in Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Cologne. His project focuses on religion, indigeneity and climate change in Kenya. Mamati offers a valuable insight into Kigusu music in Kenya. This song is performed by Wasiole Waliaula with Bukusu men in Malakasi, N. Nyanza Province, Kenya.
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10. "Maboko A Ga Kgosi Gaseitsiwe“ (1959, Botswana) "Praises of Chief Gaseitsiwe" (Praise verse)
Gomolemo Mojaki (HOD, School of Music at Tlokweng College of Education, Botswana) is a teacher–trainer of music in Southern Botswana and ethnomusicologist with a Master of Music degree from Rhodes University in RSA. In this song, Gomolemo describes the recitation and its value historically and at present in Botswana. The recitation is performed by Chief Gaseitsiwe in Kanye, Bangwaketse Reserve, present Botswana. In Tracey´s fieldcards, he asserts that Chief Gaseitsiwe was the father of Chief Bathoen I and great, grandfather of the present Chief. During the recitation of the praises, the men interject the cries of the hyena, the jackal, the lion and other animal.
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11. "Lalela Zulu" / "Listen Zulu" (1955, South Africa). Zulu Hymn for Christian dancing with izigubu drums and imbungu horns.
Dr Dlamini offers a rich introduction into the historical song “Lalela Zulu”. Sazi Dlamini is a senior lecturer at the University of KwaZulu Natal specializing in bow music, Jazz and African music. The song is performed by men and women of the choir of the Church of Shembe Nhlangakazi Hill, Ndedwe District, KwaZulu Natal, S. Africa. In Tracey´s fieldcards, he asserts that this hymn is said to have been composed about 1850 as a secular song of the period to convey a warning against those who might be tempted to revolt against the house of the Mpande, the paramount chief of the Zulu at the time. It has now been given a religious turn as a warning to the Christians to be loyal to their God.
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12. "Elijah" (1952, Kenya): Praise song, with Litungu lyre, 7 string leg bells and gourd rattle
Antony Osome is a communication and film scholar with extensive experience in audio-visual production, development communication, and behavior change communication. He has served as a junior lecturer and early-career researcher, focusing on emerging storytelling trends in contemporary rural African contexts. Osome offers a great insight abut songs from Bunyore in Kenya. This song is performed by Joshua Omwami in Bunyore, Kakamega district, Kenya.
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13. "Yoro rigoba" (1950, Tanzania) Songs, with conical, laced drum played with sticks
Dr. Emmanuel Lwankomezi is a Lecturer in the department of Geography at St. Augustine University of Tanzania. He holds a PhD in environmental studies from the Open University of Tanzania, specializing in wildlife governance, conservation and environmental justice. Dr Lwankomezi introduces the listener to musical culture in Haya culture and ways of warning the community about alcohol abuse through music. The song is performed by Kabyoma Mashulamo with Haya men at Bukoba district, Tanzania.
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14. "Waroya mwana" (1958, Mozambique) With Chirenje Joel
Tatenda Lenade Cangola, residente da província de Manica, cidade de chimoio-Mozambique. Músico que toca o instrumento denominado por Mbira ou Sannsi, que é taxativamente instrumento tradicional Africano. O seu maior objetivo é de preservar e partilhar a sua cultura e conhecer as demais culturas. Esta música é tocada por Saini Murira, Chingaipa Madzikuminga, Zhogi Muzengedza e Saini Madera em Mkota, Distrito de Mtoko (hoje Zimbabué).
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15. "Joki rakafa" (1958, Zimbabwe) Bakumba party dance, with 2 drums and rattle
Dr Perminus Matiure was brought up in a mbira playing family, he started playing mbira at the age of 12 and later studied mbira at the Masters and Ph.D. levels. He is the founder member of a contemporary mbira ensemble called "Zvirimudeze". Matiure (Ethnomusicology Senior Lecturer, University of Namibia) explains how dances were important and encoded social behaviour and ways of interacting through body language. The song is performed by a group of 5 Karanga men in Masvingo, Zimbabwe.
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16. "Waitu-waitu" (1950, Tanzania) Praise song
Dr. Emmanuel Lwankomezi is a Lecturer in the department of Geography at St. Augustine University of Tanzania. He holds a PhD in environmental studies from the Open University of Tanzania, specializing in wildlife governance, conservation and environmental justice. Dr Lwankomezi introduces the listener to the musical culture of the Haya. The song is performed by Mwendera Kaijage with Haya women at Bukoba district, Tanzania.
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17. "Chimwanikoda" (1949, Zimbabwe) with Chimwanikoda bowed musical bow
Dr Perminus Matiure was brought up in a mbira playing family, he started playing mbira at the age of 12 and later studied mbira at the Masters and Ph.D. levels. He is the founder member of a contemporary mbira ensemble called "Zvirimudeze". Dr Matiure (Ethnomusicology Senior Lecturer, University of Namibia) explains how the Chimwanikoda bowed musical bow encodes a great array of historical information on the historical circulation of music in southern Africa. This song is performed by Munthuanengwi Muhlanga in Gweru, Zimbabwe.
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18. "Siti, musikana adadeka" (1958, Mozambique) with Sister Nyelete
Tatenda Lenade Cangola, residente da província de Manica, cidade de chimoio-Mozambique. Músico que toca o instrumento denominado por Mbira ou Sannsi, que é taxativamente instrumento tradicional Africano. O seu maior objetivo é de preservar e partilhar a sua cultura e conhecer as demais culturas. Esta música é tocada por Saini Murira, Chingaipa Madzikuminga, Zhogi Muzengedza e Saini Madera em Mkota, Distrito de Mtoko (hoje Zimbabué).
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19. "Ndicha Girita pano mufare mufare" (1958, Mozambique) with Abula
Tatenda Lenade Cangola, residente da província de Manica, cidade de chimoio-Mozambique. Músico que toca o instrumento denominado por Mbira ou Sannsi, que é taxativamente instrumento tradicional Africano. O seu maior objetivo é de preservar e partilhar a sua cultura e conhecer as demais culturas. Esta música é tocada por Saini Murira, Chingaipa Madzikuminga, Zhogi Muzengedza e Saini Madera em Mkota, Distrito de Mtoko (hoje Zimbabué).
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