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Africa: South of the Sahara

Various Artists
Africa: South of the Sahara

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.”

RELATED LESSON PLANS
"Music of 'The Seventh Continent'"
"The Complete Evolution of Trinidadian Pan Music…Abridged."

*Content Advisory: The terminology used in some of the song titles and descriptive notes for this album reflect outdated, inaccurate language.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

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101
Zulu Song Male soloist and mixed chorus with handclapping 02:10
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102
Swazi Song Male soloist and mixed chorus with drums, whistling, handclapping 02:14
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103
Chopi Timbila Orchestra Chopi timbila (xylophone) ensemble, Witswatersrand Gold Mine 01:03
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104
Amakwavi Song Male singer with mixed chorus 00:43
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105
Bushman Song (1)* San male singers, Kalahari 01:22
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106
Bushman Song (2)* San male singers, Kalahari 02:15
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107
Bechuana Song (1) Motswana man and chorus 01:02
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108
Bechuana Song (2) Motswana man and chorus 01:07
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109
Bechuana Song (3) Motswana man and second male voice 00:34
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110
Luchosi Song Luchazi man with chorus and drums 01:07
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111
Gangele Song Nganguela man with chorus and drums 01:25
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112
Tutsi Song Girls and women of the house of the King's mother in Shyogwe 03:29
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113
Tutsi Drums Royal Drums of the Tutsi 02:29
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114
Twa Chorus Twa male singer and chorus 03:22
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115
Hororo Flute Hororo man playing flute 01:29
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116
Shi Kasayi Masirika Pimapima 02:57
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117
Kivu Bambuti Song Mbuti men and women, Kivu region 02:45
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118
Bambuti (Pygmy) Songs (1)* Chorus of Mbuti men 01:08
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119
Bambuti (Pygmy) Songs Chorus of Mbuti men 01:24
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120
Bambuti (Pygmy) Songs (2)* Chorus of Mbuti men 01:05
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121
Pende Xylophone Bapende xylophone players, chorus 02:45
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122
Pindi Sansa Bapende sansa player, chorus 01:08
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123
Sudanese Harp Migrant workers from Sudan in Gura Valley, Eritrea 02:28
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124
Sudanese Song Migrant workers from Sudan in Gura Valley, Eritrea 02:49
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125
Mahafaly Song Mahafaly man with percussion, stringed instrument, Madagascar 02:28
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126
Ibani Sansa and Chorus Ibani men and women with sansa, stick percussion 02:42
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127
Yoruba Song Male chorus with percussion, stringed instrument 03:00
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128
Bulu Chorus Bulu male singer with mixed chorus 01:56
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129
Ewe Song Ewe male singer with chorus, drums, percussion 02:37
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130
Bambara Minstrels Two Bambara flute players with iron bell, drum 02:18
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131
Acoli Voice and Lute Acoli man with nyatiti, Uganda 03:02
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132
Mboko Zither Harp Mboko zither-harp players 01:33
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133
Bakwiri Song Bakweri man with musical bow 01:05
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134
Makwa Female Chorus Makua women 01:43
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135
Boungomo Chorus Boungome woman with female chorus and drum 03:30
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136
Babinga (Pygmy) Voices* Babinga voices with percussion 01:48
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137
Wolof Drums Wolof drummers playing sabar, tama, and hin drums 01:32
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138
Wolof Halam Wolof man playing xalam 03:15