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 (1)	Mvomō Asumu André	02:03
102	Preparatory Music of the Harp (2)	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 of First Entrance into the Chapel (1)	Bwiti woman and group at Ekwakum Chapel	00:55
106	Njimba Chants	Bwiti singers at Kougoulou Chapel	02:00
107	Minkin Song of First Entrance into the Chapel (2)	Bwiti singers at Ekwakum Chapel	01:26
108	Thirteen Minkin Songs of Entrance into the Chapel	Mvomō Asumu André	04:11
109	First Harp Songs of the Road of Birth and Creation	Bwiti harpist and singers at Kougoulou Chapel	02:06
110	Harp Song of the Road of Birth and Creation (1)	Mvomō Asumu André	01:04
111	Harp Song of the Road of Birth and Creation (2)	Mvomō Asumu André	00:58
112	Harp Song of the Road of Birth and Creation (3)	Mvomō Asumu André	00:37
201	Obongo Chants	Mvomō Asumu André	02:44
202	Eight Mwanga Songs, Four Prayer Songs	Mvomō Asumu André	01:11
203	Yombo Song of the Women's Chamber	Metōgō Zōgō Vincent	03:36
204	Five Yombo Songs of the Women's Chamber	Bwiti male singer at Zougoudzapville	00:44
205	Harp Song of the Road of Death and Destruction (1)	Bwiti harpist and singers at Kougoulou Chapel	01:36
206	Harp Song of the Road of Death and Destruction (2)	Mvomō Asumu André	03:04
207	Obango Dance (1)	Bwiti drummers and singers at Ekwakum Chapel	01:30
208	Three Chained Harp Songs	Ngema Amana Ivindja	03:32
209	Obango Song	Bwiti drummers and singers at Kougoulou Chapel	01:29
210	Obango Dance (2)	Bwiti drummers and singers at Kougoulou Chapel	01:13
211	Harp Song of the Road of Death	Bwiti harpist and singers	02:11