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Music from an Equatorial Microcosm: Fang Bwiti Music from Gabon Republic, Africa, with Mbiri Selections

Various Artists
Music from an Equatorial Microcosm: Fang Bwiti Music from Gabon Republic, Africa, with Mbiri Selections

This 1973 Folkways release focuses on the Bwiti religion and its sister cult, Mbiri, among the Fang people in Gabon. Beginning with gentle harp music played at the start of rituals to cleanse the cult house, the record includes harp songs of fertility and percussion songs that serve to prepare the body for death and reunion with ancestors. Liner notes by anthropologist James W. Fernandez provide a detailed discussion of both the religion and the music.

Track Listing

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101
Preparatory Music of the Harp - Ngombi Mvomo Asumu Andre 02:03
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102
Preparatory Music of the Harp - Ngombi Mvomo Asumu Andre and Essono Ona Pastor 03:19
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103
Mbiri Harp Song Ele Amana Michel 04:11
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104
Mbiri Harp Song Ele Amana Michel 01:48
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105
Minkin Song of First Entrance into the Chapel Female singer 00:55
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106
Njimba Chants Bwiti singers 02:00
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107
Minkin Song of First Entrance into the Chapel Bwiti singers 01:26
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108
Thirteen Minkin Songs - Thirteen Songs of Entrance into the Chapel Mvomo Asumu Andre 04:11
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109
First Harp Songs of the Road of Birth and Creation Bwiti harpist, singers 02:06
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110
Harp Song of the Road of Birth and Creation Mvomo Asumu Andre 01:04
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111
Harp Song of the Road of Birth and Creation Mvomo Asumu Andre 00:58
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112
Harp Song of the Road of Birth and Creation Mvomo Asumu Andre 00:37
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201
Obongo Chants Mvomo Asumu Andre 02:44
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202
Eight Mwanga Songs, Four Prayer Songs Mvomo Asumu Andre 01:11
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203
Yombo Song of the Women's Chamber Metogo Zogo Vincent 03:36
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204
Five Yombo Songs of the Women's Chamber Bwiti male singer 00:44
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205
Harp Song of the Road of Death and Destruction (1) Bwiti harpist, singers 01:36
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206
Harp Song of the Road of Death and Destruction (2) Bwiti harpist, singers 03:04
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207
Obango Dance Bwiti drummers, singers 01:30
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208
Chained Harp Songs Ngema Amana Ivindja 03:32
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209
Obango Song Bwiti drummers, singers 01:29
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210
Obango Dance Bwiti drummers, singers 01:13
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211
Harp Song of the Road of Death Bwiti harpist, singers 02:11