Music of the Mende of Sierra Leone
Various Artists

The Mende people are one of the two largest ethnic groups in Sierra Leone, a country on the west coast of Africa. The common singing form is solo with refrain, sung by both men and women. The main instruments providing rhythmic variation are kelei (slit-log drum), sangbei (single-skin drum), and segbure (rattle). Songs feature traditional themes of love, war, death, and religion. This collection derives from recordings in the Bo, Moyamba, Kenema, and Kaliahun Districts. Liner notes contain song descriptions, substantial cultural and historical information about the Mende, and illustrations.
Track Listing
101
|
Mende Song | Female soloists and an eleven-woman chorus | 6:45 | |
102
|
Mende Work Song | Men working in Waiama | 3:09 | |
103
|
Mende Talking Drum | Kelei (talking drum) players at Waiama | 7:35 | |
104
|
Muslim Prayers | Worshipers in Waiama | 2:23 | |
105
|
Salia Koroma | Salia Koroma | 2:52 | |
201
|
Village Dancing | Christmas Eve celebrators in Waiama | 7:34 | |
202
|
Mende Muslim Song | Muslim women singing in Waiama | 3:16 | |
203
|
Mende Song | Women singing | 3:02 | |
204
|
Village Celebration | Villagers near Mano celebrate Christmas Day | 6:22 | |
205
|
Nefali Dance | Mende people at the Kenema Agricultural Show | 3:25 |