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

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