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	Female soloists and an eleven-woman chorus	06:45
102	Mende Work Song	Men working in Waiama	03:09
103	Mende Talking Drum	Kelei (talking drum) players at Waiama	07:35
104	Muslim Prayers	Worshipers in Waiama	02:23
105	Salia Koroma	Salia Koroma	02:52
201	Village Dancing	Christmas Eve celebrators in Waiama	07:34
202	Mende Muslim Song	Muslim women singing in Waiama	03:16
203	Mende Song	Women singing	03:02
204	Village Celebration	Villagers near Mano celebrate Christmas Day	06:22
205	Nefali Dance	Mende people at the Kenema Agricultural Show	03:25