Music of the Ituri Forest

Recorded in the 1950s by prominent cultural anthropologist Colin Turnbull, Music of the Ituri Forest is a study in the lives and traditions of the BaMbuti, a nomadic people from the Ituri Forest of northeastern Congo. In a society with no chiefs or councils, the BaMbuti share responsibilities, including those of music-making. Each individual in a group sings one or two notes that, in circulation, build into melodies and harmonies. Instruments such as the likembe (thumb piano) accompany solo voice, while the mgungu gong (slit gong) helps ground mounting call-and-response choruses. Written by Turnbull, liner notes include descriptions of BaMbuti culture and the story behind each track.

This album was partially reissued with expanded track list and annotation in 1992 as Smithsonian Folkways Recordings 40401.

Track Listing

101	Lukembi and Voice (1)	n/a	02:23
102	Drinking Song	n/a	02:30
103	Board Zither (1)	n/a	01:27
104	Religious Song	n/a	03:36
105	Mgongo Utule	n/a	01:18
106	Dance Music	n/a	04:05
107	Gong Signalling	n/a	01:14
108	Travelling Song	n/a	01:40
109	Flute Solo	n/a	02:06
110	Elephant Hunting Song	n/a	05:03
201	Musical Sticks	n/a	01:43
202	Initiation Song	n/a	01:41
203	Elima Song	n/a	02:06
204	Lusumba Song (1)	n/a	02:19
205	Lusumba Song (2)	n/a	02:35
206	Board Zither (2)	n/a	02:04
207	Board Zither (3)	n/a	01:49
208	Musical Bow	n/a	02:29
209	Lukembi and Voice (2)	n/a	03:56
210	Guitar and Voice	n/a	03:42