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Central African Republic: Banda Polyphony

Various Artists
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

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101
Ongo ensemble: Ndraje balendro, initiation song Ongo ensemble 04:22
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102
Ongo ensemble: Eci ameya Ongo ensemble 01:50
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103
Ongo ensemble: Eci ameya Ongo ensemble 01:59
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104
Ongo ensemble: Ebena ka cemato, lament Ongo ensemble 04:06
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105
Ongo ensemble: Music for dancing, gboyo Ongo ensemble 02:47
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106
Mvrele ensemble: Flutes Mvrele Ensemble 02:21
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107
Mvrele ensemble: Voices Mvrele Ensemble 04:25
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108
Little suite for ongo-ngala Ongo-ngala ensemble 07:04
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109
Dance of initiates: "Brother, I am suffering" Ongo-ngala ensemble 05:07
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110
Suite for the mbaya ensemble Mbaya ensemble 05:52
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111
Damba lekpa, music for the mbaya ensemble Mbaya ensemble 01:23