Music of the Mende of Sierra Leone

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 (1) Mende women and girls, Waiama, Bo District	06:45
102	Mende Work Song Mende rice farmer, Waiama, Bo District	03:09
103	Mende Talking Drum Mende men playing kelei drum, Waiama, Bo District	07:35
104	Muslim Prayers Mende Muslim worshippers, Waiama, Bo District	02:23
105	Salia Koroma Salia Koroma	02:52
201	Village Dancing Christmas Eve celebrants, Waiama, Bo District	07:34
202	Mende Muslim Song Mende Muslim women, Waiama, Bo District	03:16
203	Mende Song (2) Mende women with sangbei accompaniment	03:02
204	Village Celebration Mende singers and musicians near Mano, Moyamba District	06:22
205	Nefali Dance Mende performers at Kenema Agricultural Show, Kenema District	03:25