Central African Republic: Banda Polyphony

The Banda people form the largest ethnic group in the Central African Republic. They are divided into over fifty subgroups, each with its own speech, customs, and art forms. Two neighboring groups among the Banda, the Linda and the Dakpa, share many musical traditions, yet retain a distinctive musical expression. The orchestration of Banda music compiles polyphonic layers of wind instruments made from tree roots, bamboo, antelope horns, and other natural resources. Their ensembles are composed of a variety of flutes, horns, whistles, drums, and voices playing independent melodies that weave together. The ensembles are usually accompanied by a pair of jingles that are either struck together or worn by dancers. This album, recorded and annotated by noted African ethnomusicologist Simha Aron, presents seven examples of the music of the Linda and four examples of the music of the Dakpa.

Track Listing

101	Ndraje balendro (Initiation Song)	Ongo ensemble	04:22
102	Eci ameya (horns) - Song for the Cult of the Twins	Ongo ensemble	01:50
103	Eci ameya (voices) - Song for the Cult of the Twins	Ongo ensemble with voices	01:59
104	Ebena ka cemato (Lament)	Ongo ensemble	04:06
105	Gboyo (Music for Dancing)	Two lenga (slit-drum) players	02:47
106	Flutes	Mvrele ensemble	02:21
107	Voices	Mvrele ensemble	04:25
108	Little Suite for Ongo-ngala	Ongo-ngala horn ensemble	07:04
109	Dance of Initiates: Brother, I am Suffering	Ongo-ngala horn ensemble	05:07
110	Suite for the Mbaya Ensemble	Mbaya ensemble	05:52
111	Damba lekpa (Music for the Mbaya Ensemble)	Mbaya ensemble	01:23