Africa: South of the Sahara

Various Artists

This 1957 compilation attempts to provide a musical overview of the entire Sub–Saharan region, and also represents the scholarly contribution of American ethnomusicologist Alan P. Merriam (1923 — 1980) to the Folkways catalog. Merriam, who is best remembered for the book The Anthropology of Music, produced the album and provided an essay and track notes. This title went a long way towards dispelling prejudices and misconceptions listeners of the time may have had about African music. Merriam wrote, “The African music system works by its own rules and satisfies those who play it and sing it; it is neither necessarily older nor younger nor better nor worse.”

*Content Advisory: The terminology used in some of the song titles and descriptive notes for this album reflect outdated, inaccurate language. Many names used to refer to Indigenous people were imposed by outsiders and are often considered derogatory. We are working to update the terminology to the name preferred by the people themselves, as well as to consult with the community and descendants of artists on this album. Please see our Shared Stewardship page for more information.

For our policy on controversial recordings, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Track Listing

101	Zulu Song	Unspecified	02:10
102	Swazi Song	Unspecified	02:14
103	Chopi Timbila	Unspecified	01:03
104	Amakwavi Song	Unspecified	00:43
105	Bushmen Song (1)*	Unspecified	01:22
106	Bushmen Song (2)*	Unspecified	02:15
107	Bechuana Song (1)	Unspecified	01:02
108	Bechuana Song (2)	Unspecified	01:07
109	Bechuana Song (3)	Unspecified	00:34
110	Luchosi Song	Unspecified	01:07
111	Gangele Song	Unspecified	01:25
112	Tutsi Song	Unspecified	03:29
113	Tutsi Drums	Unspecified	02:29
114	Twa Song	Unspecified	03:22
115	Hororo Flute	Unspecified	01:29
116	Shi Kasayi	Unspecified	02:57
117	Kivu Bambuti Song	Unspecified	02:45
118	Bambuti (1)*	Unspecified	01:08
119	Bambuti Songs	Unspecified	01:24
120	Bambuti (2)*	Unspecified	01:05
121	Pende Xylophone	Unspecified	02:45
122	Pindi Sansa	Unspecified	01:08
123	Sudanese Harp	Unspecified	02:28
124	Sudanese Song	Unspecified	02:49
125	Mahafaly Song	Unspecified	02:28
126	Ibani Song	Unspecified	02:42
127	Yoruba Song	Unspecified	03:00
128	Bulu Song	Unspecified	01:56
129	Ewe Song	Unspecified	02:37
130	Bambara Song	Unspecified	02:18
131	Acoli Song	Unspecified	03:02
132	Mboko Zither Harp	Unspecified	01:33
133	Bakwiri Song with Musical Bow	Unspecified	01:05
134	Makwa Song	Unspecified	01:43
135	Boungomo Song	Unspecified	03:30
136	Babinga Song*	Unspecified	01:48
137	Wolof Drums	Unspecified	01:32
138	Wolof Halam	Unspecified	03:15

Catalog

Africa: South of the Sahara

Track Listing

Release Info

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