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Music from Saramaka: A Dynamic Afro-American Tradition

Various Artists
Music from Saramaka: A Dynamic Afro-American Tradition

Retreating to the inland forests of Suriname to escape harsh conditions on slave plantations, small communities were founded upon diverse African heritages and newly emerging cultural practices. The Saramaka, who eventually became one of the largest Maroon (runaway slave) groups of this area, have a musical repertoire that employs a multitude of languages, gourd instruments, hand pianos, and drums. In this collection of music recorded from 1967 to 1976 by Richard and Sally Price, the songs of the Saramaka people convey a narrative of struggle, determination, and cultural survival. Liner notes include musical analysis, lyrics and translations, and photographs of the artists and instruments.

Track Listing

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101
Matjáu baai (Axe Calls) - Tree-Felling Songs Saramaka man, Pikílío region 10:59
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102
Adunké Elderly Saramaka woman, Pikílío region 00:55
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103
History in Song Saramaka man, Pikílío region 01:45
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104
Apúku djómbo (The Forest Spirit Jumps Up) Papái bèntá player, Pikílío region 02:19
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105
Djebikese kulé butá dí kándu (Djebikese Runs to Place the "Protective Charm") Papái bèntá player, Pikílío region 02:33
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106
Gádu tumáo (Drumming for the Forest Spirits) Papái bèntá player, Pikílío region 02:11
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107
Komantí tumáo (Drumming for the Komantí Gods) Papái bèntá player, Pikílío region 01:10
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201
Sĕkĕti Songs: Two Songs of Despair Saramaka female singer with chorus and percussion 02:00
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202
Sĕkĕti Songs: Song of Disaster and Song of Love Saramaka female singer with chorus and percussion 02:21
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203
Sĕkĕti Songs: Song of Quarrel Saramaka female singer with chorus and percussion 01:24
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204
Sĕkĕti Songs: Song of Rejection Saramaka male singer with chorus and percussion 01:19
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205
Sĕkĕti Songs: Song of Resignation Saramaka male singer with chorus and percussion 01:45
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206
Sĕkĕti Songs: Song for a Maiden Saramaka male singer with chorus and percussion 01:40
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207
Sĕkĕti Songs: Song about a Parrot Saramaka boy and friends 00:51
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208
Sĕkĕti Songs: Song of a Foreign Land Saramaka child and friends 00:54
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209
Sĕkĕti Drumming: The Flight of the Hummingbird Dance Saramaka drummers 01:57
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210
Sĕkĕti Drumming Saramaka drummers 02:29
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211
Sĕkĕti Drumming: Bandámmba Dance Saramaka drummers 01:19
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212
Apínti: Talking Drum Tribal chief's apínti (talking drum) player at council meeting 04:22