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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
04:22
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102
Ongo ensemble
01:50
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103
Ongo ensemble with voices
01:59
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104
Ongo ensemble
04:06
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105
Two lenga (slit-drum) players
02:47
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106
Mvrele ensemble
02:21
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107
Mvrele ensemble
04:25
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108
Ongo-ngala horn ensemble
07:04
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109
Ongo-ngala horn ensemble
05:07
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110
Mbaya ensemble
05:52
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111
Mbaya ensemble
01:23