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Folk Music of the Western Congo

Various Artists
Folk Music of the Western Congo

Folk Music of the Western Congo presents music from the Bantu-speaking tribes of Western Congo. Included is a Bambala litigation proceeding, which requires litigants to both speak and sing their case to the village chief. One litigant says, “Let us debate the things, but slowly, slowly….” He then sings: “I am like the dog that stays before the door until he gets a bone.” Also featured are examples of Bambala talking drums, Bapende xylophone, and children’s songs from the Bapende and Bakwesi communities. Liner notes include track descriptions and pictures of the musicians.

Track Listing

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101
Babunda Song Bunda male singers 02:12
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102
Bapende Work Song Pende laborous male singers 00:33
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103
Bambala Drumming (1) Mbala drummer 00:47
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104
Bambala Drumming (2) Mbala drummers 03:46
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105
Bambala Litigation Mbala male singers 09:15
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106
Bambala "Talking" Drum Mbala drummer 01:22
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201
Bambala Dance Mbala male singers with drum and rattle accompaniment 04:06
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202
Bapindi Sansas (1) Pindi sansa player from the village Kikongo 00:59
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203
Bapindi Sansas (2) Pindi sansa player from the village Kikongo 00:47
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204
Bapindi Hunting Calls Pindi male singers and horns 02:15
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205
Bapende Xylophone (1) Pende xylophone player 00:58
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206
Bapende Xylophone (2) Pende xylophone player 02:17
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207
Bapende and Bakwesi Children's Songs (1) Pende children's chorus 01:50
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208
Babunda and Bayansi Children's Songs (2) Bunda children's chorus 02:35
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209
Basuku Children's Song Suka children's chorus 01:00