Skip to main content

Music of the Ituri Forest

Various Artists
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

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