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

101	Tree-Felling Songs (Matjáu baai) Saramaka man, Pikílío region	10:59
102	Adunké Song Elderly Saramaka woman, Pikílío region	00:55
103	History in Song Saramaka man, Pikílío region	01:45
104	Bèntá - Instrumental Saramaka man playing papái bèntá, Pikílío region	02:19
105	Bèntá - Instrumental Saramaka man playing papái bèntá, Pikílío region	02:33
106	Bèntá - Instrumental Saramaka man playing papái bèntá, Pikílío region	02:11
107	Bèntá - Instrumental Saramaka man playing papái bèntá, Pikílío region	01:10
201	Sĕkĕti Songs: Two Songs of Despair Saramaka women	02:00
202	Sěkěti Songs: A Song of Disaster / A Song of Love Saramaka women	02:21
203	Sěkěti Songs: Song of a Quarrel Saramaka women	01:24
204	Sĕkĕti Songs: Song of Rejection Saramaka male singer and chorus, Upper River region	01:19
205	Sĕkĕti Songs: Song of Resignation Saramaka male singer and chorus, Upper River region	01:45
206	Sĕkĕti Songs: Song for a Maiden Saramaka male singer and chorus, Upper River region	01:40
207	Sĕkĕti Songs: Song about a Parrot Saramaka boys	00:51
208	Sĕkĕti Songs: Song of a Foreign Land Saramaka children	00:54
209	Drumming: The Flight of the Hummingbird Saramaka drummers	01:57
210	Drumming: Sěkěti Saramaka drummers	02:29
211	Drumming: For Bandámmba Saramaka drummers	01:19
212	Drumming: Talking Drum - Apínti Tribal chief's apínti (talking drum) player at council meeting	04:22