Bongo, Backra and Coolie: Jamaican Roots, Vol. 1

Jamaican folk music blends African, European and East Indian (in dialect: Bongo, Backra and Coolie) roots into something distinctly Jamaican. Kumina, a magico-religious cult of predominantly rural peasantry, includes invocation of and possession by gods and ancestral spirits aided by songs and drumbeats. Convince, another magico-religious cult that likely originated among the Maroons of the Blue Mountains, differs from kumina on two basic accounts: ghosts called “duppies” rather than gods do the possessing and convince music never uses drums. Yet, kumina and convince share similar lineage from African cultural practices. Also sampled here are examples of “Hindustani” music intended for dancing. These selections use the tabla drum, the “Indian fiddle” (a bowed three-stringed instrument) and a nasal vocal tone. Volume Two (FW04232) continues with Zion Revival, quadrille bands and fife and drum music.

Track Listing

101	Kumina and Convince: King Zombie Kumina group, St. Catherine	03:04
102	Kumina and Convince: Asosowata Kumina group, St. Catherine	02:50
103	Kumina and Convince: Since Me Dead an' Gone Kumina group, St. Catherine	04:59
104	Kumina and Convince: Bembalay Kumina group, St. Catherine	04:36
105	Kumina and Convince: Do Do Kumina group, St. Catherine	03:39
201	Kumina and Convince: King Zya / John Fraser Kumina group, St. Catherine	05:23
202	Kumina and Convince: Country Song (?) Kumina group, St. Catherine	03:02
203	Hindustani Music: Dance Music (1) Indo-Jamaican musicians, St. Catherine	03:27
204	Hindustani Music: Dance Music (2) Indo-Jamaican musicians, St. Catherine	03:44
205	Hindustani Music: Dance Music (3) Indo-Jamaican musicians, St. Catherine	02:06
206	Hindustani Music: Dance Music (4) Indo-Jamaican musicians, St. Catherine	02:56