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

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