Music of the Mende of Sierra Leone

Various Artists

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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

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Music of the Mende of Sierra Leone

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