Skip to main content

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

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
Harp (Ngombi) (1) Mvomō Asumu André 02:03
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
Preparatory Music of Harp (2 Instruments) (2) Mvomō Asumu André and Essono Ona Pastor 03:19
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
Mbiri Harp Song (1) Ele Amana Michel 04:11
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
Mbiri Harp Song (2) Ele Amana Michel 01:48
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
105
Minkin Song (1) (1) Female leader and members of Ekwakum Chapel, Oyem District 00:55
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
106
Njimba Chants Members of Kougouleu Chapel, Kango District 02:00
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
107
Minkin Song (2) (2) Members of Ekwakum Chapel, Oyem District 01:26
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
108
13 Songs of Entrance (Minkin) Mvomō Asumu André 04:11
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
109
First Harp Song Ngombi (harp) player and members of Kougouleu Chapel, Kango District 02:06
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
110
Harp Song (1) Mvomō Asumu André 01:04
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
111
Harp Song (2) Mvomō Asumu André 00:58
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
112
Harp Song (3) Mvomō Asumu André 00:37
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
201
Harp Song (4) Mvomō Asumu André 02:44
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
202
Obongō Chants Mvomō Asumu André 01:11
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
203
8 Mwanga Songs / 4 Prayer Songs Metōgō Zōgō Vincent 03:36
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
204
Yombo Songs Metōgō Zōgō Vincent 00:44
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
205
5 Yombo Songs (1) Female members of Kougouleu Chapel, Kango District 01:36
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
206
2 Harp Songs (2) Members of Kougouleu Chapel, Mvomō Asumu André 03:04
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
207
Obangō Dance (1) (1) Members of Kougouleu Chapel, Kango District 01:30
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
208
3 Chained Harp Songs Ngema Amana Ivindja 03:32
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
209
Obangō Song Members of Kougouleu Chapel, Kango District 01:29
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
210
Obangō Dance (2) (2) Members of Kougouleu Chapel, Kango District 01:13
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
211
Harp Song Ngombi (harp) player and members of Kougouleu Chapel, Kango District 02:11