Côte d’Ivoire: A Senufo-Fodonon: Funerary Vigil

The Senufo are an ethnic subgroup spread across Mali and Côte d’Ivoire that were studied intensely by French ethnomusicologist Michel de Lannoy, a specialist in West African music. Among the Senufo is a further subgroup of about 20,000 people called the Fodonon, who populate around fifteen villages in northern Côte d’Ivoire. Even in villages where they are the minority, Fodonon are regarded as masters of the land and rain.

The Fodonon have fought to preserve their social and religious institutions, including the music of funeral ceremonies. These musical rituals can last several days, as the people share the burden and sorrow of death as a whole community. The most prominent instrument is the bologbogo, literally meaning “big gourd” and equipped with a single plucked string made of antelope hide. The genre of music and the orchestras that use it are bolonyen, “the gourd people.”

The liner notes provide detailed context for the music, the funerals, and each song.

Track Listing

101	Ye fa ra nyu / Toni / La tre Bolonyen orchestra of Lataha village	37:14
102	Bolozyere (1) Solo voices, Lataha village	02:43
103	The solofolo Bolonyen orchestra of Lataha village	04:26
104	Li weri (1) Bolonyen orchestra of Lataha village, Yéo clan	01:46
105	Li fugo nyige / Dongo Bolonyen orchestra of Waragnene village	21:14
106	Bolozyere (2) Bolonyen orchestra of Waragnene village	02:17
107	Li weri (2) Bolonyen orchestra of Waragnene village	02:36