Music of the Kpelle of Liberia

Liberian culture scholars Verlon Stone and Ruth Stone recorded this album of traditional Kpelle songs in 1970. Kpelle music can be divided into two categories, ceremonial and non–ceremonial, and spans themes related to life–cycle events, work, secret society activities, and protest. Two types of music, the sung folktale and signal music (which reflects speech patterns and communicates messages) receive special attention. Liner notes include a description of Kpelle society and culture as well as track notes.

Track Listing

101	Entertainment Love Song (1)	Wokpe, Ponaweni, Kao, Saki, mixed chorus	04:23
102	Framed Zither Solo	Flumo of Totota	03:42
103	Topical Song of the Medicine Men's Meeting	Lopuu, Zonkâi ensemble	05:23
104	Poro Entertainment Song	Young Poro member playing the gbegbetele, fellow male initiates	02:36
105	Horn and Drum Ensemble	Four horn players, two drummers	04:14
106	Children's Counting Song	Young female soloist, children from Totota, Bong Country	01:13
201	Musical Dramatic Folktale	Otto Giddings of Sanoyea, mixed chorus	05:49
202	Rice Planting Song	Sia-weli, women of a rice planting co-operative in Gborola	01:31
203	Musical Bow Solo	Jokoli of Totota	01:00
204	Gbelee Entertainment Song	Jokoli of Totota	01:08
205	Bush Clearing Song	Tokpa of Yanekwele, workers of a bush clearing co-operative, drummers	03:03
206	Xylophone Duet	Peter Giddings, Adam Kwana of Fokwele	03:06
207	Entertainment Love Song (2)	Gamai from Stewart's Rubber Farm near Totota, chorus, drummers	01:35
208	Entertainment Song	Two performers from Kakata	03:43