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